Is there any good books out there on Stromberg 97's? Tuning, Multi carb setups, any helpful info before i tear into a couple of them. I'm old school and like to turn pages.
So far there isn't one. Here's what I reccomend: First, get the Ford service bulletins, especially circa '38-9. Memorize the section on circuit functions, scrutinize the odd adjustment procedures that no one discusses in the overhaul section. Collect the several Barney Navarro and Roger Huntington Stromberg articles from the early mags. Note how they depend on the Ford bulletins... Search the Hamb...big job, you will get an absurd number of hits, but pillage through them and collect the coherent ones from people who seem to know something. Test theories against function of circuits...note things like when and how jets are actually functioning when some idiot says to change jets for X. Note that serious and successful experts have divergent theories, too...work from the circuit functions, make your own calls on what makes sense and test!
There is a pretty good two-part article in Rod & Custom. I'm pretty sure it was the first two issues when Pat Ganahl revived it in the late 80s.
Here we go ,Soup Up little pages feb 1960 worked for me on 2 6 pot drag star intakes.Also stromsburg nitro mods are covered in little page Rods Illustrated april 1960 this also helped me in being choosy on buying used carbs.
Often worn out throttle base is the hard part of a carb rebuild, but with Strombergs you just replace the bushings and shaft so no prob. With 94's I resolutely avoid the issue and never touch loos ones.
Read everything Uncle Max says on the HAMB. He is a Stromberg God. The pair I thought I had rebuilt correctly (by myself) had almost a dozen things wrong with them, discovered by Max when I sent them to him for a "tune-up". The difference he made is absolutely amazing, from "runs almost OK" to "gets up and GOES", and I recommend his work and wisdom to anyone messing with 97's.
Navarro, "carburetors for Rodding" in an early PHR. I didn't mark issue info on the xerox I stuck in my book. Rodding & restyling, November (1958-60, did not mark year!)...poor article, disinfo... Roger Huntington "why Stromberg Carbs" in Soup Up....excellent, again no damn citation! And I'm a librarian, for crying out loud! Gotta go find the originals. I'd have a student doing that badly on the citations flogged!
Max knows all, has all the parts, makes his own line of tools...go to advanced search and look at his stuff~!
Plus he's from Utah..Good people come from Utah. Of course most usually leave....But...Max is special. He has helpped me out through six or more 97's....
Max, why don't you do CD? I'm up for a copy. Seriously, I think there is a big market for a no BS CD on 97's.
Sometimes just looking at the original factory literature helps: http://www.thecarburetorshop.com/ServiceBulletin-EE-1_Ford.pdf Jon.
The best total ovehaul writeup and a very good explanation of circuit function is in the Ford Bulletin 1938, subject 9510 has the function data, later 1940 updated bulletin has the overhaul with directions for everything, including little known ops like timing the function of the power valve, various staking and rebushing procedures, and so on. Many of the checks involve special KRW tools, which can mostly be reversed engineered with a bit of research on the dimensions being measured. Fuel level gauge can actually be made from special brake parts from Speedway, gauging dimensions like throttle gauge for power valve can be calculated and made up as simple tools.
How To Build A Traditional Ford Hot Rod by Mike Bishop and Vern Tardel briefly touches on the subject.
There is a good online 4 part tech article on the Webrodder site. Scroll down to the "All Articles" box and way down toward the bottom of the box are the Stromberg 97 articles. http://www.webrodder.com/
In short, create your own book of sorts. It seems there is plenty of info out there, but it is not all in one place (as stated above). Tardels book has some handy info. The net has info. The Hamb has info. Your local old timer might have a tidbit of info. Write it ALL down, copies, chicken scratch, whatever. Then collect the tools, get some cheap tupperware style containers, solvent, rebuild kits, a case of beer and a comfortable stool in the shop and get to it. Consider it an adventure! Also as stated above, Uncle Max seems to have it figured out. I mean c'mon dude, putting carb tops in the oven to flatten them out? Crazy ****, and I like it!!! Do a solid job, and they won't leak/seep......for about a month or two-ha! D.
I dont know if any of you say this deal or not. It worth a good look and a order. Max you should do a CD or something simple for us cartards. Stromberg Super Deal. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=374648
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