Stromberg 97 rebuilding instructions

B

Bruce/CT

Well-known member
Hi Barners,

I do know that there are several very competent carburetor rebuilders on this site. I've had several do very nice work for me. BUT I am one of those guys that likes to learn things and try myself. Sometimes that works out great and other times it just mucks things up.
I have an spare Stromberg 97 that needs a rebuild. CAN ANYONE POINT ME TO A DISCUSSION/PAPER ON HOW TO REBUILD THESE? DO REALIZE THAT IT NEEDS TO BE BASIC AS I'M A NEWBIE WITH THESE.
Thanks,
Bruce/CT
 
There are lots of people who are into old cars to learn how to do things...
There is a LOT of good info on the HAMB on methods, tools, cleaning, changing the bushings, etc.
Go to the advanced search there and dig in.
Only absolutely mandatory special tool is the jet wrench, although there are lots of other useful things.
Step one is simple to take one apart all the way, making notes on everything that could possibly be reversed or muddled (notice the itty-bitty marks on the throttle plates?? Before it was too late) and study.
Try to figure out every hole...you can (with careful eye protection) squirt spray carb cleaner from the little wand into holes and see where it comes out, for instance.
Best read: Get hold of the Ford Service Bulletins...full rebuild of Stromberg is in '38 or 9, along with a lengthy explanation of how each circuit works with detailed drawings of everything. Bulletins are reproduced, available from all the Ford parts places.
 
There is a very good step by step procedure post on another website. I'm not at home right now so I can't post the link to get there. Send me a pm about one week from now and I will send you the info.
 
Bruce,
These are great suggestions, I'm sure things will go fine if
you are careful. One little sticky item too often overlooked is the power
jet buried down at the bottom of the acc pump bore. Be sure to remove it
and check to be certain it does not leak.
The emulsion tubes can be removed by tapping them ,after
the jets are removed of course. with a 6-32 tap about 3/16 deep. Run a
6'32 screw into the threads and place a long punch into the tube from the venturii end and gently tap each tube out. You may have nightmares after
seeing the crud that collects around these babies.
Charlie ny
 
I'm no expert but I rebuilt two Strombergs (one 97 and one 48) with no experience and no expert help with excellent results. I got all the replacement parts from the Genuine Stromberg guys to include the rebuild kit. There are other quality places with quality parts...I just went with them.

The Genuine Stromberg kit came with step-by-step directions on disassembly, rebuild and reassembly...worked well. All I had to do when I was done was set the mixture and set the idle and I was done. No leaks, great performance...pretty easy. I got lucky my carbs weren't warped...if yours is warped, the top won't seal with the gaskets and it will leak. Warpage can be fixed...

If you want to remove/replace the emulsion tubes (recommended because usually they're all gummed up and performance will be terrible if not addressed), that's an extra step not covered by the kit (the emulsion tubes are a separate purchase). There's a trick to getting out the emulsion tubes. If you're interested I can elaborate...or one of the other experts out there can.

You can download the rebuild directions from the Genuine Stromberg website.
 
Uncle Max is a great source for getting genuine Stromberg parts. He also gives great advice on how to rebuild them. He has some good secret weapons that he may share with you :)
 
For a flying start, you could do no better than using advanced search to winkle out uncle max's posts and the discussions they appear in in both the HAMB and Fordbarn.
I posted my homemade tool for pulling the emulsion tubes on the HAMB; though my tool is more complex than actually needed, it is still so simple that you can assemble it while standing in the hardware aisle at Home Depot!
 
Yep, I also made a handy dandy Home Depot emulsion tube puller special. I think it set me back $0.73. Luckily I already had the correct tap!
 
They also have axle keys (slightly too long, but 30 seconds of grinding would put theirs into a Ford) and steering wheel Woodruff keys (theirs is a regular SAE spec one, and requires very slight filing to match the Ford one, which was a special Ford part and not a standard key)
A Model A-Model B oil pump holder inner for when the pan is off can also be effortlessly constructed right at Home Depot.
Research continues...
 
I'm not a carb guy, and I think the 97 had no redeaming qualities as a carburetor for a street machine. However, I have a number of friends that have the new English 97. Fortunately I have attended the Paul Garragan (Rumble seat)school of 97 rebuilding.
John Lawson also addresses the rebuilding of the 97 in his book. With all this said I plan on running 3X2 97 intake with progressive linkage on my Econo engine as a test. The center carb will be set to open 2.3 before the secondaries open and they will be liminated to 1/2 throttle. I had the opertunity to drive such a car several years ago and the throttle response was fantastic.
 
I think Strombergs are loved BECAUSE they are primitive, leaky, and endlessly entertaining!
I love playing with them but have always driven the Ford 94...that one had no problems, until our wonderful aftermarket started supplying worthless pumps and power valves and lord knows what else.
 
I have a passion for the Strombergs..97s, 81s, 48s and LZs..I like taking them apart and see what other have done to them, sometimes very interesting..I beleive that most people don't realize how many tricks can be done with the strombergs..
I enjoy bring back to life a Hot Rod Historical item..
I think they are popular because they are easy to rebuild and tune, if you have the right tools and knowledge..
KEEP THOSE STROMBERGS ALIVE..
Duane..
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top