Need Stromberg 97 Carb advice

Tom in SW VA

Tom in SW VA

Well-known member
I recently bought and installed a brand new $500 Stromberg 97 carb on my 37 Ford. My problem is that the car has no pulling power and runs much worse than the old carb. I have adjusted the idle screws as prescribed and set the throttle. Can you give some advice on 1) what have I not done correctly, 2) what do I need to do? Your help will be greatly appreciated. :)
 
Did you have a holley 94 on it before? The 97 is a lot more unforgiving of a restricted air filter. Try it with no filter.
 
Tom in SW VA said:
I recently bought and installed a brand new $500 Stromberg 97 carb on my 37 Ford. My problem is that the car has no pulling power and runs much worse than the old carb. I have adjusted the idle screws as prescribed and set the throttle. Can you give some advice on 1) what have I not done correctly, 2) what do I need to do? Your help will be greatly appreciated. :)
Click to expand...
Call your supplier,it could be defective he should make it rite. ken ct.
 
Someone else had this problem recently and discovered that the throttle linkage was not opening the throttle all the way. Fixed that and he was good to go. Might check that.
 
Old Henry said:
Someone else had this problem recently and discovered that the throttle linkage was not opening the throttle all the way. Fixed that and he was good to go. Might check that.
Click to expand...

This could possibly be the problem. The throttle linkage does seem to be too long and the new throttle on the carb may be in a little different position. I need a shorter throttle linkage. Any suggestions.
 
I dont think, if it is a warranty problem you will have a problem,
I bought two real early and never fitted them for about 3 years,one leaked,e/mailed a pic and they sent a new carb straight away.
You sure cant complain about that.
We are VERY lucky to have people making new parts for our old fords. I have a mate with an old Vauxhall, he cry s when he sees whats available for the ford
Lawrie
 
Tom in SW VA said:
This could possibly be the problem. The throttle linkage does seem to be too long and the new throttle on the carb may be in a little different position. I need a shorter throttle linkage. Any suggestions.
Click to expand...
Easy to make shorter just bend the rod some what till the ball on the carbis lined up with the hole on the rod when end is pulled out. Putting a bend in the rod makes it shorter. Other choice is cut a piece out of the rod and use a connector.ken ct.
 
ken ct said:
Easy to make shorter just bend the rod some what till the ball on the carbis lined up with the hole on the rod when end is pulled out. Putting a bend in the rod makes it shorter. Other choice is cut a piece out of the rod and use a connector.ken ct.
Click to expand...
is

It is already bent once. Will probably have to cut and rejoin. Does anyone make a shorter throttle rod? I believe that this one is 10 1/2 inches.

Thanks
 
Tom in SW VA said:
is

It is already bent once. Will probably have to cut and rejoin. Does anyone make a shorter throttle rod? I believe that this one is 10 1/2 inches.

Thanks
Click to expand...

I bent the throttle rod again and I can't tell much difference. The problem is apparently something else.
 
I would still rather have a correctly rebuilt original Strom. There are a few guys on here that can do that. ken ct. OMO
 
Tom,
There is always room for various opinions. My personal thought is as long as
Max Musgrove is tied to the new 97's there is no better choice, and I build originals.
If you prevail on Max he ALWAYS steps up.
Charlie ny
 
As UM suggested, post some pictures of your setup here. It might become very obvious to some as to exactly what is wrong.

http://www.stromberg-97.com/

Just signed up on the Stromberg website (URL above) to receive their newsletter.
 
Last edited:
I am curious as to why anyone would "prefer" an old, rebuilt 97 to a new one??? Is it just the fact that the old things have linkage that will rust?

But, of course, such comments about preferences do nothing to help solve the original question.:

1.Have someone push the throttle pedal to the floor and observe whether or not the carb is at wide open position.
2.Remove air cleaner and check to see if choke is opening completely. Operate car without air cleaner for a bit to see if that gives improvement.
3.Check to see if rag or towel has been left inside intake manifold. Ask me how I know that can happen.
4.It is entirely possible the carb change had nothing to do with the malfunction. To check for coincidental anomaly simply re-install the original carb for a test run.
 
Numbers 1, 2, 3 and 4 just above from JWL...ALL very good advice as a place to start troubleshooting your problem. #4 especially would indicate a baseline from which to continue, but #1 would be a logical starting point. DD
 
I put a new 97 on my '35 and it's been absolutely terrific. The car idles perfectly, has better power, gas mileage improved to the mid-teens around town, and best of all, it cured a hiccup (when accelerating from a low RPM) that nothing else including a new fuel pump and coil and distributor had solved.

I'm sure a competent rebuild of a good core (and that's the double trick, isn't it?) is a viable alternative with lower initial costs, but these are well built carburetors that should last a long time.

As Lawrie said above, we are very lucky to have people making parts for our old cars. And here's an example of a part that's made in Good Ol' England, not in China. Three cheers for the Mother Country!!
 
Responding to JWL's number 3 above. It does happen! My neighbor bought a car that went to auction due to the fact no one could make it run quite right. Found a rag in the intake manifold. It would start and idle fine, no drivability.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top