Hey ya’ll, I need a bit of advice. An older fellow at church told me he some old Stromberg carburetors and asked me if I wanted them – he didn’t know what model they were but his dad used to run them on his hopped up truck. Right away, I was thinking ‘Man if they are 97’s, that would increase the kool-factor of my ’34 flathead by WOW degrees.’ So I do some research and it’d cost about 450$$ for the rebuild and new linkages…but the wow factor…oh yea…So last Sunday, I went and picked them up. There 3 of them, all with aluminum intake horns, so you know it was a hot rod. They ARE Strombergs and the bottom castings are EE-1 on all 3. 2 of them have 1- 1/32 on them. The third has CL in a circle..I think. So, near as I can tell, they are 48’s…not 97’s…MAJOR bummer. So, my dilemma, and where I need opinions… would it be worth, might as well say, $500.00 and the hassle to install them?? Would it be as kool to say ‘yea, I got 2 Strombergs on there’… or do I keep running my trouble-free Holley 94’s and give these back to the old fellow? Whaddya think?
I haven't worked on a Stromberg in about 50 years, but IIRC, the only major difference in 48s & 97s is larger venturi on the 48s. What they're worth is up to you. I used to run 48s on a single carb installation and think maybe I did also on a dual setup on a 296 cid with a 400r Isky cam.
If you've got good running 94's ,versus "core" carbs that need work and a cash infusion ,what was the question?
If it ain't broke... . And how many people will know the difference between the carbs? Who are you trying to impress?
I guess maybe myself... The Stromberg 97 has always seemed like the 'Holy Grail' of Hot Rod carbs... Here's a pic...maybe:
There's nothing wrong with getting what you want. But sometimes the pleasure isn't worth the pain. Will the car go any faster, run any better, etc etc? But if you need those carbs to scratch that itch, then go there, do that, and get the T shirt. I have several of those T shirts. Some of them never fit very good.
I had almost talked myself out of it, once I realized they were not 97's...you guys summed it up in a most practical way and for that I thank you....keep on Hot Roddin...
I would prefer 48's to 97's on just about anything except on smaller-inch motors. All major parts (jets, tubes, base, plates) interchange, but the 48's flow better due to the larger venturies. They are identical on the outside to a 97, tune the same, but flow better. Trust me, 48's are fine.
That's kinda what I heard and since I only have a .060 over '36 flathead...48's might be too much anyway.
Will look good sitting on a shelf! That's what I did with my Tri-Power that ALWAYS ran rich no matter what. Well until someone heard about it and made an offer I couldn't refuse.
The Jalopy Journal
