I see benefits in both designs for sure. So trying to get the low down on why you like one over the other, quirks, performance etc. So what's the benefit of Stromberg's vs the Holley's in yall's opinions for multiple carb setups? Photos for reference only....
One, Stromberg 97 style carbs are shorter in length and fit better on many multi-carb manifolds. Two, these Strombergs have mechanical power valves vs the problematic vacuum power valves on 94s., imo.
I prefer 97’s but 94’s run just as well and are a lot more reasonable. FYI…94’s are mandatory for an original loadamatic distributor. Yes I’ve heard of some issues with the 94 power valves but I have never experience it for twenty years running them on my 8ba.
I'm not running em but I like the 94s for the fact there's a shit ton more of em, they evolved over the years and lots of parts interchange or upgrade with newer development stuff, that there are so many they're a lot cheaper, easy to rebuild, Ford ran em til the mid 50s, and I hear that S'bergs have their own issues and tend to leak easily. I haven't experience many on the big 'bergs in the Packards but dig around. You'll find a fair share of common foibles surrounding 97s. Or just drop a grand on a pair of new ones. Yeah. $1,000. For 2. Used 94s and a couple Daytona kits might cost ya 250 and some quality time at the table. Works for me, I have a ½ dozen cores already for chump change.
Growing up in my world you were cool as hell if you ran trip carbs with Stromberg 97s. Here is my set ready to go once my flattys break in miles are done. Which is being done on a single 94 by the way!
Cost,and what I could find. I run some 94 as 2x2,3x2, 4x2 w 94s, had fun w 6x2* w 94s n 8x2* 94,but were too much* for y-block v8. Made all my own intakes,log set ups from old cut up driveshafts. Home made linkage n fuel logs. I would of run 97s if I could of found them. Would of liked to try 97s. If I could find rebuildebls for free. I block off the power valves w 94,the 97s have a better type power valve.
This is correct. Indeed, there are some aftermarket manifolds on which 97's will fit, but 94's won't. I found this out the hard way with an early Hemi Weiand 4 in a row manifold. Other than that, I prefer 94's as, set up right, they are simply a better carburetor than a 97.
The Holley 94 or the Stromberg 97. I use the Stromberg because they fit multi carb intake and if you were ever in a stuck dirty needle and seat on the road. All you need is a 11/16 wrench to remove and clean. No disassemble needed As far as performance I think the are about the same
I tried for 2-3 years to find some reasonably priced Stromberg 97s. I decided to go with Holley 94s and now have 24 of them.
Some mention blocking off the power valves? If I use two on a Hexagon intake what would be the procedure for blocking and would that have an effect on the way it runs? What does a power valve do? I have 97 s and 94 s would like to try the 94s
Thanks hrm2K. I love the look but have no idea how they would run on the street. I was just figuring things out in that pic.
I'm running 94's on my flathead and they barely clear each other on the Offenhauser manifold, I had straight linkage on it to start but went to progressive linkage and it runs better. Got about 1200 miles on it and happy with the set up. I think 94's are a little less leak prone and cheaper and easier to find.
Holley 94 the first ‘smart’ carb, it listens to engine vacuum to provide enrichment through the power valve. I found harvesting old power valves to be the answer, modern ones have fit and function issues.I run them as a single on a banger, I have no experience running multiple 94’s, logic says you should plug one if you’re running two to prevent overfuel.
I ran 94's on my 57 3x2 setup. Took a while to dial in but once I got there it ran great. That said, I would have liked to try 97's but could never find some reasonably priced. I agree that 97's are more sexy looking.
call me weird but a row of 97’s with accelerator pump rods and SP tops is beautiful. Do you have the pump arms for those ?
^^^^ You’re not weird, they are beautiful when they’re all dressed up right. I had three 97s on the 283 in my roadster and it ran ok, I gathered up three 94 style Holleys from ‘55-56 Fords, rebuilt them and stuck them on. Big difference in foot-to-the-floor power. Seemed to run better overall. Had the same frog mouths sticking out of the half hood. I’ll be trying 97s again. I’ve got six of them for my new roadster.
front carb had choke and kicker bosses shaved before a swim in dichromate. Factory linkage pieces were replaced with pieces I made from stainless steel-polished.
hrm2K all I have for those is right there in the pictures. I haven't spent a lot of time looking into what all they are going to need if I decide to run those tops. The 97's are all rebuilt and ready to go so my plan was to start there and see how things go.
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