"Stromberg 97's New or Rebuilt?

I'm thinking of changing to a dual carb setup on my stock 40 Ford Flat motor. Several people have told me it's better to buy original 97' cores and have them rebuilt versus buying 2 new ones. Whats the difference and the advantage of one over the other? I plan on running a standard dual Offy intake.

 

Cost is the main consideration, the new 97's cost a bundle. You can buy 97 cores for around $75 to $125 to rebuild and the rebuild kits run around $35. If you go for 48's they are a bit cheaper and flow more than the 97's. You can also go with Holley 94's which are just as good as the 97's (IMO) and cost a lot less. Personal taste + deep pockets give you more options too.

 

Well, it just as simple as putting in a kit. You really should pull the emulsion tubes, throughly clean the body, and make sure all mating surfaces are flat. Not all that hard, put something many guys (including some on this site) do quite well and with good results.

Also, if you don't know what you are looking at when buying a core (mismatched parts that will need to be replaced or repaired) and you aren't able to rebuild the carb yourself, the cost is somewhat compariable.

 

Whichever you decide on, I'm here to help, whether it be new or used. PM me for pictures and a menu. . .

 

Aside from cost, the main difference between buying new carbs or having an older pair rebuilt would be in reliability and ease of installation, setup, and tuning.

New carbs are typically set up more consistently from the manufacturer and come with guidance and tech support to help with installation.

Using rebuilt carbs or having a pair rebuilt will cost a lot less money, but in the long run if you don't know how to set them up and adjust them for your motor thery're probably going to run like crap.

My advice is, if you a gearhead and you like working on your own motor and tuning it yourself, then go for the rebuilt carbs (or even better, rebuild a set yourself so you'll understand them better). But if you prefer getting a pair or carbs you can just bolt on, have someone tweek them for you and drive your car without thinking about them, then buy a new pair that come with tech support and take your car and the carbs to a old hotrodder to have them installed and tuned.

Hope this helps.

 

I priced the new ones earlier this summer, and it looks like about $1350 plus tax, plus linkage, plus manifold, plus this, plus that, for a new set.

 

I have a few rebuilt 97s if your interested let me know

 

Just picked this up for my 283 for 490.

 

For $490, if those carbs are in running condition, I'd say you got a pretty good deal. Good luck with 'em.

 

When I put a 2x2 setup on my '38 I bought five 97 cores to make one good carb. The other carb was purchased for around $150 & then rebuilt.

People who bad mouth the new 97's either already have a shelf full of good originals or they can't afford a new 97. I ended up buying two new 97's for my car & they were gorgeous. They didn't leak & ran straight out of the box.

Anyone who has seen the new 97, knows what he is talking about, & gives you an honest opinion will tell you that it is a super option if you can afford it.... & it isn't much more than a professionally rebuilt original.

JH

 

This is what the guy had posted about the setup so i hope its true.



UP FOR AUCTION IS AN INTAKE MANIFOLD FOR A SMALL BLOCK CHEVY, IT IS AND OFFERHAUSER WITH THREE STRONGBERG 97'S. I AM SELLING THIS FOR MY FATHER INLAW AND HE HAD IT ON A 327. HE SAID IT SHOULD FIT THE SMALL BLOCK CHEVY'S FROM 283-350 C.I.D. HE HAD THIS UNIT RUNNING FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND HE SWITCHED OVER TO A BIGGER SET-UP.THERE ARE NO CRACKS OR ANY BROKEN TABS, IT SHOULD BE READY TO BOLT ON, ADJUST THE FUEL/AIR AND GO! I AM A FORD GUY AND CHEVY STUFF IS NOT MY FIELD SO PLEASE CHECK AND MAKE SURE THIS WILL WORK FOR YOUR NEEDS. I COULD PROBABLY ANSWER SOME QUESTIONS IF NEEDED. SORRY NO SALES OR SHIPPING OUT OF THE LOWER 48. THANKS FOR LOOKING.

 

For the price - you can't go wrong . . . even if you have to throw new kits in them or screw with them a bit.

 

Hmmm...seems to me that those prices might be a tad low for cores. Lately seems like 81's are 200.00 , 97's are 150.00 and 94's around 90.00-100.00 The intro of new 97's hasn't seemed to have affected core costs all that much. Just my opinion.

 

Uncle Max i was thinking of going with something different have you ever seen this duel 97's setup before ?Was wondering how well this would work on my 31 Ford with a 302 . Or would it be more a pain then its worth.