Technical 97's--originals vs Speedway's

Thanks Ryan, hmmm pink lace panties

 

Sorry !!(my comment was not directed to you uncle max) Sorry to all!!(I removed my pink panties!!) Pete

 

I don't have either and can't comment.

 

I've spent my entire adult life in the speed equipment industry and copying, plagiarizing and poaching are "traditional". I've spent a small fortune with the so-called Stromberg 97 gurus and ended up buying Clive's carbs. By the same token, based on Speedway's customer service, I wouldn't hesitate to buy a 9 Super 7 carb tomorrow. I suspect that Speedy Bill has a fortune tied up in original 97's that are displayed on bangers and flatheads in the American Museum of Speed. There are a couple of good books on Amazon that document some of the lawsuits between speed equipment companies going back to the late fifties.

Take Ryan's advice; move on and don't get your "pinky panties" in a wad.

 

New English carbs...pretty well known to be good stuff, and thoroughly backed with guarantee, Max, and full parts supply.

Max original rebuild...rebuilt with incredible layers of expertise, experience, and subtle knowledge. Far better than you will achieve yourself.

Speedway...seems to have made their product usable. But what the hell is the use for fake traditional carbs that can be spotted as sloppy fakes from 20 feet away?? Seems kinda like an authentic colonial style wood-grained plastic Kleenex box. And still not all that much $ saving.

Original rebuilt by YOU, however, still needs to be considered...you will screw things up, fail to notice air leaks, not know how to correct casting problems, choose jets suggested by random internet morons, spend money and blood...BUT unless you are an idiot, you will slowly learn, correct your mistakes, figure out whose advice is useful (Uh, there's Max again!), learn how a carburetor works and WHY certain choices are likely to work.
There are two reasons to endure this suffering, money loss, and fire hazard...

1. Learning for learning's sake, to understand your carb and bend it to your will. Learning and experience may well be the only reasons that really justify not going to an expert in any area of hotrodding...for most of us, there are indeed many experts out there who can do a better job than we can on EVERYTHING, but we are here to get our hands dirty.

2. Road survival. Detroit and Tokyo pretty well ditched carburetors in the mid 80's, and by now the only carbureted vehicles on the road are elderly heaps owned by rodders and restorers. An entire generation of pro mechanics now has no real training or experience on carbs, and many have NEVER taken a screwdriver to one...so if yours pukes up its life juices in East Overshoe on Sunday night, will you be a survivor or a whimpering wreck phoning for dustoff and therapy??

 

I've got 6 big logo 97s I had rebuilt by 97 Heaven about 15-20 years ago, and have never put on a car. They sit in their box, wrapped in plastic. IF I ever get far enough on my car to need them, I'll send them to Max, or Dick, or somebody on the HAMB, or try to go through them myself before I put gas in them.
But I gotta say, Bruce's comments are priceless, as usual. I'm waiting patiently for a book called "The Vintage Ford according to Bruce".

 

I'm not big on books, but I'd get in line to buy that one!


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find some good cores and send em to Uncle Max! you will be glad you did- My engine guy couldnt believe it- they literally were perfect right outta the shipping box! No adjustments needed! Uncle max rules!

 

Seriously this, get a the best quality rebuild kits you can find. Half the 97's that I has stashed away I got cheap because people thought that they ran terrible but after a good sonic cleaning and good kits they are back and running properly.

Still takes me at least 2 extra junk carbs for parts to get a three pack running right

 

The cost of a product is not so much for the product as for the knowledge and skill that goes into it.
Good luck.Have fun.Be safe.
Leo

 

Great to see the 97/Speedway debate back after the original scrum went afoul. Clive's reproduction 97's look so good that only your very knowledgeable rodder will know they are not original until they are run for a while. Since they have engineered out the old short comings it will be better to save your pennies for Clive's product. As my old man always said "quality is always cheaper in the long run". TEB

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I have three speedways on my car
They run great and are reliable, but they do leak some around all the gaskets

 

Well guys, thanks for all in input and entertainment! I guess I will go with something more original than the Speedway version.