Holley vs Stromberg.

Bassman/NZ

Bassman/NZ

Well-known member
I've had a lot of trouble getting my C59A to run well. I rebuilt the Holley 94, completely dismantled and every orifice blown out, flatted the gasket surfaces, new gasket kit right through (even under the nozzles), leather plunger, new float, new 50 main jets, new power valve etc. Went out to a mate's place who is a flathead guru to get an expert opinion. He took a listen and said my carb is the problem. He said I'm wasting my time with a Holley, so he went into his stash and brought out a Stromberg 48.
We bolted that on, and I took it for a test drive. Man! It was night and day! Suddenly it sounds like it's running on all 8 cylinders, and huge increase in power.
Bottom line..... he wont sell it to me, but I've got it on loan until I can find a Stromberg of my own, so I'm on the hunt. He recommended a new 97, but they're about $700 here in New Zealand, so I'm gonna be keeping my eyes open.
 
Wasting your time with a Holley ?!?! If that carb made that much difference, the Holley is in poor shape.
I can't tell you what's wrong with it as its not on my bench, but something is wrong. A good 94 is a real good carb, a bad 94 is worse than a bad Stromberg, both in good condition will work as well as one another, the Holley gets a bit better mpg, and can maintain the correct fuel curve. The Stromberg feels more responsive, but can't maintain as precise a fuel curve. A lot of guys like the Stromberg family, others like the Holley family. It's mostly down to opinions and what they've played with the most. Fact of the matter being the Holley is a more advance design.
Its your money, your choice.
$700!! Is that US or NZ? Is it an exchange rate thing? Would it be cheaper to get a new one shipped from the UK where it's made? Is it import tax killing it?
You have pm regarding shipping from UK.
Martin.
 
Bassman,
Convince your mate to let you keep his 48 for as long as it takes you to send me your 94, I will do my best to make him a believer. You cover the shipping costs totally plus $10 US, the rest is on me .
Charlie ny
cas5845@yahoo.com
716 662 9159
 
Mate I will bring it back with me in 3 weeks and send it to Charlie if you want. You would have to ship it to ChCh to my dads
 
Hi Bassman, There has been much trouble with the quality of new power valves which are in many modern kits. Info on these has been posted on the barn before which you could check out. Charlie will know all about these valves which is more than likely your problem on the 94. Those 48 strombergs are really good and were fitted to 1934 & 35 Fords when new. The 48 has a slightly larger venturi than a 97. The 48 is 1 1/32" dia venturi and the 97 is just under the inch at .97" which is where its name came from. The power valves in the Stromberg 48 & 97 are a different type to the 94 Holley and don't have the same problems. Good luck, Regards, Kevin.
 
Please keep us informed on the difference once you get it back from Charlie. I know it will be good since I've never heard one negative reply about Charlie in all my years on here.
Charlie, that is very honorable of you to offer such a good deed. Great site, Great People!

Oops, I spelt dead instead of deed. Still very good of you Charlie!
 
Last edited:
funrunr said:
Please keep us informed on the difference once you get it back from Charlie. I know it will be good since I've never heard one negative reply about Charlie in all my years on here.
Charlie, that is very honorable of you to offer such a good dead. Great site, Great People!
Click to expand...
I sure will!
 
Marty, Just be very careful to flush all gasoline fumes from the carb before sending it. I sent a [different make] carb to the States to be overhauled and it went missing! Turned up in the USA, after much angst, months later; turned out NZ Post decided it was some sorta terrorist explosive device and held it in Quarantine for those months.

[Wonder what would've happened if it 'went off' and destroyed their quarantine facility?!!]

In that interim period, I'd had NZ Post trying to track it without success. Seems within that organisation, the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing!!

Good luck, Charlie will return your carb better than new- first hand experience talking here. Brian
 
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