Rockymountainsparky
Senior Member
I have read that there are imitation Stromberg 97s. How do I identify these?
Which is better... Large or small Stromberg 97
- Thread starter Rockymountainsparky
- Start date
From what I've been told so it may not be true, but those with the "small" 97 are original carbs, placed from the factory. Those with the "large" 97 are aftermarket Strombergs.
Not sure if true, but they are identical carbs. No difference. Just make sure they aren't 48's, which are 25 cfm larger.
Not sure if true, but they are identical carbs. No difference. Just make sure they aren't 48's, which are 25 cfm larger.
Rockymountainsparky
Senior Member
The 36 coupe that I'm putting together has a 48. From what I've read, I'd be happier with the 97.
34fordy
Well-known member
Does this mean Henry's boys made a mistake putting the 48 on the 34 Ford? Uncle Max rebuilt one for me and it worked great. But I guess when Max and CharlieNY do their tricks to them it's "plug and play".
drolston
Well-known member
I would not call it a mistake. I believe it was done to achieve better fuel efficiency, - which was becoming a brand competitive thing in the early depression years. Ditto on getting one of our experts to rebuild it. You would probably never be able to tell the difference in performance or gas mileage; or care.
Maybe, maybe not. As someone mentioned, I think the 97 was introduced in an attempt to improve fuel economy.
The flathead can take being somewhat over-carbed. Plus, we are only talking 25 cfm so it's not a terribly big difference.
Only reason I mentioned to watch out for it being a 48 is so the original poster was dealing with a 97 carb he inquired about.
Rockymountainsparky
Senior Member
It's the original 221 engine with a 48 carb. I'm just trying to decide if I should buy a 97.
big deuce
Well-known member
I would think the rainbowish coating on the super 97 would be a dead giveaway. Clean casting on the air horn with no set screw marks from frogs mouths. Originals should have patent number on the pass side of the bowl. Originals have cast iron bases, new repro have aluminum bases. Here are a couple threads on the Hamb that clear the dirty water on large and small logo's.
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...difference-between-stromberg-97-logos.847794/
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/stromberg-97s-big-n-little.1163990/
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...difference-between-stromberg-97-logos.847794/
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/stromberg-97s-big-n-little.1163990/
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Flathead Fever
Well-known member
On a hot rod I like the large 97 logo. I must have 50 of them I've collected over the years. Small 97's, big 97's, "D" shaped bases and the later bases. I bought three NOS ones in the boxes a couple years ago. I'm probably going to use those three on my dad's '32 roadster after I replace all the gaskets, power valves... Even though they're new there ancient so I think they should be rebuilt.
I would rather use original carbs than the repo's. Just make sure the originals have tight throttle shafts, and they will be good as new when they're rebuilt.
I would rather use original carbs than the repo's. Just make sure the originals have tight throttle shafts, and they will be good as new when they're rebuilt.
tubman
Well-known member
Let's get back to the specifics of the original post.
There are 4 (maybe 5) basic types of 97 type carburetors.
1. Original Strombergs.
2. Early aftermarket versions sold at places like Western Auto, etc. back in the day.
3. The infamous "9-Super-7" sold by Speedway Motors.
4. The later reproductions made in England.
5. I wouldn't be surprised if some aren't currently being made in China and imported; just about every other type of carburetor is. (I don't concern myself with such things.)
Generally here's how they shake out :
1. As stated above depends on condition, but they set the standard.
2. Never had one, but never heard any complaints; they even came in a "Load-A-Matic" version.
3. Some people like 'em, most hate 'em. Many reports of design and manufacturing defects.
4. Generally, very good reports (and they make a large 250 cfm version).
5. If there is such a thing, the jury is still out. There are reports of quality imports of other types circulating around.
I think the thread title sent some down the wrong track. It is unclear in itself; he could be asking about small vs large logo original carbs or the small vs large English versions.
(EDIT : Oh yeah. how to tell them apart. Since I've never had any of type 2, I can't say. The Speedway versions? They're clearly marked. I have heard that the English versions are dead on, so it is difficult to tell (except for the "large" versions). Generally later Chinese carburetors have aluminum bases, not cast iron. Feel free to add any pertinent information.
There are 4 (maybe 5) basic types of 97 type carburetors.
1. Original Strombergs.
2. Early aftermarket versions sold at places like Western Auto, etc. back in the day.
3. The infamous "9-Super-7" sold by Speedway Motors.
4. The later reproductions made in England.
5. I wouldn't be surprised if some aren't currently being made in China and imported; just about every other type of carburetor is. (I don't concern myself with such things.)
Generally here's how they shake out :
1. As stated above depends on condition, but they set the standard.
2. Never had one, but never heard any complaints; they even came in a "Load-A-Matic" version.
3. Some people like 'em, most hate 'em. Many reports of design and manufacturing defects.
4. Generally, very good reports (and they make a large 250 cfm version).
5. If there is such a thing, the jury is still out. There are reports of quality imports of other types circulating around.
I think the thread title sent some down the wrong track. It is unclear in itself; he could be asking about small vs large logo original carbs or the small vs large English versions.
(EDIT : Oh yeah. how to tell them apart. Since I've never had any of type 2, I can't say. The Speedway versions? They're clearly marked. I have heard that the English versions are dead on, so it is difficult to tell (except for the "large" versions). Generally later Chinese carburetors have aluminum bases, not cast iron. Feel free to add any pertinent information.
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nickthebandit
Well-known member
FWIW, the only difference between the large logo and the small logo Stromberg 97 is the
size of the marking, and the size of your ego, and wallet. The type 2 that Tubman refers to is an aftermarket, over the counter replacement for the Stromberg 97. They were still made by Stromberg, and have the circle on the driver's side with no 97 in it. If you look on the passenger side you will find 31/ 32 embossed there, where as the Stromberg 48 has
1, 1/32 embossed there.
size of the marking, and the size of your ego, and wallet. The type 2 that Tubman refers to is an aftermarket, over the counter replacement for the Stromberg 97. They were still made by Stromberg, and have the circle on the driver's side with no 97 in it. If you look on the passenger side you will find 31/ 32 embossed there, where as the Stromberg 48 has
1, 1/32 embossed there.
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