Stromberg 97 question: have two new stromberg 97s, all good except front carb has the float ball stuck if the car sits for a few weeks. Any suggestions? I get the ideas of fuel pressure residual, fuel pressure etc, but hoping maybe there is a simple gas additive that might help. They are on a flathead, mechanical pump. I searched some previous related posts, didn't see an answer. I know, easy fix just fire it up every few days.
Do you mean the grose jet ball on the inlet? Some guys prefer the pointed tip inlet valves, and that might be the reason why.
Its the steel ball a little bigger than a BB, it shuts gas off when the float gets up, if it sticks in the "open" position, gas pours out the top of the float bowl. If you disconnect the fuel line to that carb, remove the fitting with the ball in it, loosen the ball and all is well. Same carb every time.
Had this on my website for a long time, it is still applicable: https://www.thecarburetorshop.com/Fuel_valves.htm EDIT: since I wrote that article, subsequent interaction with customers indicates the valves work fairly well (other than fuel flow) for carburetors in which the valve hangs from the top (Carter AFB, Rochester 2GC, etc.) but tends to give more problems when fastened in the bottom of the bowl (many older updrafts) or is mounted on its side (Rochester Q-Jet or Stromberg EE-1, called by some the "97"). When still rebuilding carbs, this valve was an no no. If the customer demanded the use of this valve, we would politely suggest a different shop, as we would not use it. Jon
Well, Stromberg currently uses the ball valves in their new production carbs. Not sure where to get good pointed type valves if you want to try them.
Are we talking about new true English 97's or the copies? If they are the English 97's you should contact Clive at Stromberg and I bet he will help you out.
https://stromberg-97.com/product-index/parts/?cat=genuine-97-carburetor-parts Part way down this page is what Stromberg sells now for inlet valves.
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