Stromberg Spacer

30ccpickup

30ccpickup

Well-known member
I have a Stromberg 81 carburetor for a 1938 Ford 60 horsepower v8 engine. My question: is the spacer between the intake manifold and the carburetor original, and if it is (or not), what is its purpose?
 

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The spacer was probably added as a heat insulator from the manifold which has an exhaust gas passage to heat the manifold and provide better fuel vaporization on its way from the carburetor to the intake valves.



After shutting down heat from the manifold would heat the carburetor and cause the fuel in the bowl to evaporate quickly. That could cause much cranking to restart. Not exactly vapor lock, but related.
 
Thank you! I am coming over from the Model A side and I am one for detail. It needs to look correct and be correct. I appreciate the answers to my questions.
 
the spacer is not original but neither is todays fuel they are almost mandatory these days due to the lower boiling point of modern[ethanol] fuels that are designed for injected systems where it is sealed under pressure not sitting in a fuel bowl and vented to atmosphere on mine i have also fitted a stainless plate that extends under the fuel bowl to shield it from radiant heat from the eng [who dosent like polished stainless ] so its your choice it wont hurt anything and you may not need it if your climate is cold enough
 
Spacer on under my 38's 97 looks similar. Only it's a 1/2" block of oak. Tapped for a decent-size vacuum port so --- as John Cameron Swayze might've once said --- the wipers keep on workin' when gas pedal needs some pushin'. Not to prevent vapor lock though --- only clothes pins do that. 8^)
 
"Vapor Lock" is a phenomena you may experience while driving a worn out Ford flathead that runs hot in traffic on a sweltering summer day. It used to happen to me on the '51 I had when I was in high school.:( Dousing the fuel pump with a shot of water usually cures it.:) I always carried a couple of gallon jugs of water in the trunk for just such a purpose.

For some reason, now that I am old enough, experienced enough, and have enough spare cash to maintain my cars properly, I no longer need those gallon jugs.:D
 
Bill said:
John, were you at GM's shop in Punta Gorda the day he was experimenting with a phenolic spacer and a heat gun on his '39 Convertible?
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Hi Bill, sorry that I'm a bit late in answering your question 😅 :D I don't come on here as often as I use to. Just happened to see this while doing a search. :)

Yes, I was there at GM's shop in Punta Gorda that day that he did his demonstration with the spacer and heat gun. That was pretty impressive. I miss having GM and his contributions to discussions here on Fordbarn.
 
I have wondered the same thing. I have a phenolic spacer that is needed because the carb mount studs are too long to go without it. Unless I used a ton of washers I guess!
 
JM 35 Sedan said:
Hi Bill, sorry that I'm a bit late in answering your question 😅 :D I don't come on here as often as I use to. Just happened to see this while doing a search. :)

Yes, I was there at GM's shop in Punta Gorda that day that he did his demonstration with the spacer and heat gun. That was pretty impressive. I miss having GM and his contributions to discussions here on Fordbarn.
Click to expand...

I am not familiar with his experiment. What were his conclusions?
 
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