Help me understand the difference between the Holley 94 and the Stromberg 97. Performance, advantages which is better and why? Is it worth spending more for the 97s than the 94s for on a flathead. Thanks in advance.
As far as I'm concerned, there is no real difference between the two,other than the "cool factor" of having large block 97's on your engine. I run 94's because they are less expensive and more plentiful. I have both single and dual carb set ups on flatheads and have no problems at all with performance or reliability. They're easy to build and parts are readily available like jets and power valves (yes it is possible....even simple...to get the power valves set up right with no leaking problems)...
I have little experience with strombergs, but it seems that they may be a little easier to just "bolt on and go". That being said, 94's are GREAT carburetors and work really well if you take the time to learn about em. I've put together a bunch of threads here: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/group.php?do=discuss&group=&discussionid=289
The big diff is that Holleys have a vacuum actuated power valve that needs to be blocked/changed to keep it from opening too soon when running multiple carbs. It's not rocket science, but it can be a pain in the *** to get set up so the setup works right. 97's have a mechanically actuated PV that opens when the accelerator pump plunger reaches the bottom of the bore. No guesswork about when the PV opens! Otherwise, they're both just 2bbl carbs...
Not entirely true... The Stromberg powervalve starts to open, due to the hydraulic action of the accelerator pump, the moment you stab the gas and becomes fully open at the bottom of the stroke. A less violent jump on the pedal allows the built in byp*** valve in the pump to take over. You can instruct the pv when to come to the party & how much beer to bring, by switching the "S" and "W" balls on the throttleshaft lever.
I have three 94s on my dragster and they perform very well, they do leak with too much fuel pressure. Like no one knows that.
I was just re-reading a few hours ago, in the Mike Bishop/Vern Tardel book How To Build A Traditional Ford Hot Rod (which every hotrodder should have), that the 94s are too big, esp. in a multi-carb setup, for a flathead. But that is up to debate, and I'm sure there will be plenty in this thread! I myself have a 6x2 setup with a half dozen 94s, but its for a small Chevy, and I have yet to run it.
Holley's are very easy to find and not that hard to tune either . Stromberg's are a little easier to tune and seems that guys what them the most but both perform just as good as the other one does . They also cost a whole lot more . If you can afford the Stromberg's I would get them but for the money it's hard to beat the Holley 94 ! Retro Jim
A little off the subject, but does anyone know if the 97s are shorter in height compared to 94s? I am having some hood clearance problems with the 94s and don't have any 97s to complare
Another difference is that when a stromberg 97 floods, the gas comes out the accelerator pump hole at the top of the fuel bowl and leaks gas all over your leaky plug wires, with the holley 94s the gas comes out the floatbowl vent tube which dumps the gas into the top of the carb, a little less dangerous for fires but it can be hard on the engine.
I have personally never liked the design of the 94 where the power valve drains directly into the intake, and the power valve is neopreme. This is the carburetor which is responsible for the "leak-down" theory often erroneously applied to many other carburetors. These valves do NOT like ethanol-based fuel. And blocking the power valve, while a good idea on secondary carbs, doesn't work well on street-driven primary carbs (racing can be a different story). Having said that, Holleys are initially less expensive than Strombergs and also have the advantage of using modern Holley main metering jets (probably available at 98 percent of all auto parts stores anywhere in the solar system). As far as finding matched Holleys, VERY easy other than for the larger venturi used in the mid-1950's (those with an ECG prefix and a number). Given all of the above, if I were going to build an aftermarket setup, and had clearance for the carbs, I would use Carters. My opinion, others will differ. Jon.
I have been running 97s since 1990 on my car As far as holley 94s go they will get the job done also But yes 94s will not fit some 3x2 intakes bowl screw is in the way and also If you get a spec of dirt in needle and seat you can pull the fitting and clean it and be on your way, Holley 94 you need to take off top etc. Both carbs the are close to same as far as cfms Just will need fuel press reg. After 1 lbs fuel press they will leak past needle and seat. Gas in oil Thats just me
I've ran both - and have not had problems with either (as I know how to set them up). The Stromberg 97 seems to be more popular over the years - they tend to be worth more as cores, etc.. The very first carburetor that I rebuilt was a 97 - probably about the most simple two barrel design you can run on a flathead. Each has it's own Pros/Cons . . . wouldn't rate either as 'better' than the other. As others noted on the Holley 94's, you do need to understand the power-valve system, how to select the correct ones for multiple carb setups, etc.. If you're running multiple carbs and the manifold is the correct type, then often you only run a power valve on the center carb(s). Edelbrock has been reproducing the 94 carb for a couple years (I was happy to see them do it) and have versions for 'primary' and 'secondary' (multiple carb) situations. They tend to be about $100 cheaper than the new Stromberg 97's. Nice product - like everything Edelbrock makes. Another version of the Holley 94 is a Holley 2110 - which is a mid-50's version and was used all the way up to the early 70's in the 'Bug Spray' carb for VWs. Early carbs had a 3-bolt flange the same pattern as the 94/97 . . . later ones have a 4-bolt flange. The 2110 is a bit bigger in throttle bore - like 1 1/16 (don't have one here to measure) - and will flow approximately 50 cfm more than a 94. (94 = 160 cfm, 2110 = 210, approximate numbers). I use it when I have a 2 carb situation where I need more flow - like a SCoT blown flathead. The most important thing is that if you're going to be buying cores, that you know what you're looking for/at and have the proper skills to rebuild them. Or pay to have them rebuilt (plenty of talented folks around) - or buy new ones (which is the way to go if you can afford it). Okay - enough of my 3 cents! B&S
The Jalopy Journal
