Stromberg BIG97 and 97 in Jan 2016 Street Rodder

Stromberg BIG97

BIG97 in Street Rodder

Stromberg 97 carburetors ( regular and BIG97 ) have gained some superb coverage in a major feature in January 2016 Street Rodder. It’s all about flathead Ford intake manifolds. Navarro, Edelbrock, Sharp, Offenhauser and more (all of which can work with the BIG97, of course). Written by Ron Ceridono with help from Kev Elliott and Mike Herman from H&H Flatheads, it’s also available online. You might find the online version a little easier to read. Click here to check it out! Here’s a couple of excerpts:

“Thanks to Mike Herman we were able to gather photos of the most popular intake options H&H currently offers for early (1932 to 1948) and late (1949 to 1953) Flatheads. While the manifolds look similar there are significant differences. The positions of the carburetors on two-two manifolds vary and as a result some require moving the generator, others don’t (manifolds that accommodate the generator are often called regular dual, while those with the carbs further apart are usually referred as super dual). By spreading the carburetors further apart they have a straighter shot into the ports and fuel distribution is improved but relocating the generator requires a head-mounted bracket. Some manifolds are equipped with exhaust heat, others aren’t. In cool locales with today’s fuel exhaust heat can help driveability, in hot climates it’s not normally necessary. All the manifolds shown here accept the stock-style fuel pump stand and the oil filler/road draft tube for 1949 to 1953 applications. Another difference is the number of bolts used to secure the manifold. Due to the shape of the runners, in some cases, the number of bolts has been reduced. On the other hand, in some cases, there are more holes in the manifold in the block, but in either case it’s not a problem.

Although all the manifolds shown are good, some manifolds may perform better than others with a given engine combination. The best bet to resolve that issue is to deal with an expert on the subject like Mike Herman.

Stromberg now offers a larger version of the 97. Completely reworked internally, they flow 250 cfm, compared to the original’s 165 cfm.”

 

Price cuts for Stromberg fuel lines

DSC_7871We have cut prices on all our current fuel lines, and introduced new ones too – all at far more attractive prices. As part of our relaunch of the whole Stromberg TwoStep Fuel Line range, we’ve spent a lot of time finding new ways to source the parts and the processes needed to make kits at a more competitive cost. And we’re pleased to say, this is the result.

So how much are they? How does $55.95 (or £29.96) grab you, for complete bolt-on 2×2 Stromberg fuel lines (carbs to fuel pump) for Offenhauser 1090 or 1075 intakes? Our new 2×2 RP lines for remote pump are just $69.95 (or £33.29). And you can get our cool 3×2 sets for Edelbrock 1108 intakes for just $89.95 (or £41.63).

We mentioned new kits. If you’re looking at chrome Stromberg 97s (9510A-CHR), you’ll be pleased to hear that you can now get fully polished lines, with traditional chromed Ford nut compression fittings, starting at $85.95 (or £41.63). Check them out on our website – click here.

All these prices are plus local sales taxes, but they’re all significantly reduced. And it goes without saying that all our new fuel lines come with exactly the same high quality for fit and performance as ever – plus full installation instructions and further help via our website Tech Center.

 

Choosing the right Stromberg 4×2 linkage

Hot rod 4×2 intakes come in many forms, but most put the carbs in line behind each other or staggered in a 2-plus-2 arrangement. Some are widely spaced to get the carburetors right over the intake ports, with a big plenum chamber, like the famous Horne/Cragar early Cadillac intake (shown below), but some have a very close, overlapped stagger like the Weiand WC4D manifold which is more of a dual-plane design. Stromberg offers a choice of 4×2 direct (non-progressive) linkages – both inline and 2+2 kits, with a ready-to-fit kit for the Offenhauser Pacesetter 5024 intake and a ‘Trim-to-Fit’ kit for everything else.

4×2 in line. Pretty much all the early Flathead Ford intakes, plus a few early ohv intakes, put all four carbs in a line, like a typical 3×2, but with one more 97 squeezed on the end. The main brands you see around are Sharp and Weiand. Building a 4×2 direct linkage so all the carburetors work at the same time is simple. Just order up 4 of our 9091K kits (Superlink lever arm and swivel) and link them together with a straight length of 3/16th rod. You might want to order some of our 9054K Snapback torsion type carburetor return springs, too, but that’s pretty much it.

Building a 4×2 progressive linkage is quite another thing. We have built some to special order, though, and here’s a picture to show how. Email us at sales@stromberg-97.com if you need one. Just one issue. As with most progressive systems, you can’t use banjo fuel fittings as they interfere with the long center levers.

4×2 staggered systems. If your intake manifold spaces the carburetors far enough apart across the intake to get separate linkage rods to each bank of carburetors, you need a quality, sturdy linkage that won’t flex when you stick your foot in it, and won’t swamp your beautiful 97s with huge ugly pillow-block brackets either. The Stromberg 4×2 kits, designed and manufactured exclusively by us, fulfil all those criteria with a whole new level of quality, efficiency and looks. 4×2 staggered systems need a direct (non-progressive) linkage, otherwise some intake ports (and therefore cylinders) are going to starve at low revs. Stromberg offers one type of 4×2 direct linkage, in two sizes.

Our 9271-D Linkage Kit is ready made to fit the Offenhauser Pacesetter 5024 – Chevy intake, which spaces the carburetors 8-5/8 inch in front of each other and 6-1/2 inch apart across the intake with 3/4 inch offset (ie, the one bank is 3/4 inch in front of the other). This linkage is ready to go. It comes almost completely assembled with the Back-bar levers pinned to the shaft, and even though it bolts straight on, it still comes with full instructions, of course.

If you have any other intake of this type, choose our 9270-D 4×2 Trim-to-Fit Direct Linkage Kit. It will work with intakes that space the carburetors up to 9-1/2 inch in front of each other, and the same dimension across the intake, with up to 1 inch of offset between the two banks of carbs. Believe us, that’s going to cover pretty much every production engine around. How difficult is the trimming? You’ll be drilling one hole and maybe shortening one bracket and adjusting the lengths of the rods. Everything is explained in the Installation Guide included. Download a copy right here in our Tech Center if you’d like to see it first.

The Weiand WC4D manifold. We mentioned the Weiand WC4D manifold, above, which sets the Stromberg 97 carburetors in a sort of in-line, overlapped stagger. It places the carburetors so close together, in fact, that our 4×2 kits do not work with this intake. You need long throttle shaft extensions, which can flex and twist in operation. However, we have seen cool linkages with extra beefy shaft extensions specially built for this intake built by Stromberg dealer Baxter Ford in Lawrence, Kansas. Click on the pics below to see more. So if you need one, you’ll find Baxter Ford’s details on our Dealer Network page.

Your link to the pedal. Stromberg recommends a mechanical pedal link for all multi-carb systems. Ideally, your 4×2 Back-bar can be connected to the pedal via one of the long levers that work the two banks of carburetors (they have three adjustment/connecting holes at the top). However, if these do not line up with your pedal link, you can add a third long lever to the Back-bar shaft with Stromberg kit 9096K (Long linkage arm/swivel) positioned to align with your throttle pedal ‘pull’ point. Complete with swivel, clamping screw and 3/32” roll pin, the 9096K lever can also be drilled and pinned to the Back-bar to ensure positive location.

You can download this Tech article at the Stromberg Tech Center (click the link). As with all our Tech articles, we welcome customer feedback and other input. Email us ( tech@stromberg-97.com ) with your thoughts and if it adds to the debate, we can add it in.

Choosing the right Stromberg 6×2 linkage

So you’ve got yourself a cool 6×2 intake, either a new cast manifold like the Edelbrock X1 ram or the Offenhauser Pacemaker 3924 (low-line), or a U-fab or log-type intake, and you’ve stepped up for six 97s. What you need now is a quality, sturdy linkage that won’t flex when you stick your foot in it, and won’t swamp your beautiful carburetors with huge brackets or weird curved linkage rods going in all directions (yes, we’ve seen them too).

Stromberg has 6×2 progressive and direct (non-progressive) linkages to fit pretty much everything out there. This means ready-to-fit kits for those popular intakes that are available brand new. And ‘Trim-to-Fit’ kits for everything else. The direct linkages come complete in one box. And the progressive linkages are modular, so you can always get the right parts for your intake. Here’s how they work…

Choosing the right 6×2 Direct Linkage kit. Let’s get the easy ones out of the way first. Right now, we offer three 6×2 Direct Linkage kits.

Got the Edelbrock X1 ram 6×2 intake? You need our 9261-D 6×2 Direct Linkage Kit. It spaces the carburetors 4-7/8th inch in front of each other and 9-1/8th inch apart across the intake, and there is no offset between the two banks of carbs. This linkage is ready to go, comes almost completely assembled with the Back-bar levers pinned to the shaft and even though it bolts straight on, it still comes with full instructions, of course.

Got the Offenhauser Pacesetter 3924 6×2 intake? You need our 9262-D 6×2 Direct Linkage Kit. This is a low-line intake compared with the X1 so it can give you a little more clearance for low hood applications. It spaces the carburetors 4-3/4 inch in front of each other and 6-1/2 inch apart across the intake, with the carbs on the US driver’s side 3/4 inch offset in front of the other bank. As before, this linkage is ready to go.

Got something else? You need our 9260-D 6×2 Trim-to-Fit Direct Linkage Kit. It will work with intakes that space the carburetors up to 5-1/2 inch in front of each other, up to 9-1/8th inch apart across the intake and up to 1 inch of offset between the two banks of carbs. Believe us, that’s going to cover pretty much every production engine around. How difficult is the trimming? You’ll be drilling and maybe shortening one bracket and adjusting the lengths of the rods. And everything is explained in the Installation Guide included. Download a copy right here in our Tech Center if you’d like to see it first.

Choosing the right 6×2 Progressive kits.

A 6×2 progressive linkage is really just two 3×2 kits plus the Back-bar which joins it all together. With so many different variables between intakes, that’s also how we offer them. Here’s how to order the right kits for your intake:

1. Measure the carb to carb spacing – from one throttle shaft to the carb in front. Then order two kits – one for each bank – of the correct Stromberg 3×2 progressive linkage to suit your carburetor intake spacing. There’s a list of which linkage fits which spacing below. If your spacing is not covered, buy the next size up and trim down the threaded rod between the secondary (outer) carburetors. Trim the right hand threaded end and add more 3/16-32 UNF thread if required.

For this spacing….use this kit

4-9/16inch………..9243PRO

4-3/4inch………….9253PRO (fits Offenhauser Pacesetter 3924)

4-7/8inch………….9251PRO (fits Edelbrock X1 ram)

5-3/16inch………..9245PRO

5-1/2inch………….9246PRO

2. Now add the 6×2 Progressive Back-bar Kit to link both carburetor banks together. 6×2 intakes can differ in the space and offset between banks.

For this intake…………….use this kit

Edelbrock X1 ram………..9261-BB

Offenhauser Pacesetter 3924…….9262-BB

Anything else……………..9260-BB (Trim-to-Fit)

It might also pay to compare the spacing, width and offset of the Edelbrock and Offenhauser intakes (see above in Direct Linkages) to see if they are nearer to your requirements.

Your link to the pedal. Stromberg recommends a mechanical pedal link for all multi-carb systems. Ideally, your 6×2 Back-bar can be connected to the pedal via one of the long levers that work the two banks of carburetors (they have three adjustment/connecting holes at the top). However, if these do not line up with your pedal link, you can add a third long lever to the Back-bar shaft with Stromberg kit 9096K (Long linkage arm/swivel) positioned to align with your throttle pedal ‘pull’ point. Complete with swivel, clamping screw and 3/32” roll pin, the 9096K lever can also be drilled and pinned to the Back-bar to ensure positive location.

You can download this Tech article at the Stromberg Tech Center (click the link). As with all our Tech articles, we welcome customer feedback and other input. Email us (tech@stromberg-97.com )with your thoughts and if it adds to the debate, we’ll it in.

New Stromberg linkages – small block Ford and more!

It must be linkage week here at Stromberg. New 4-banger linkages at the start of the week, and now, more for the V8. If you’ve just stepped up for the long-awaited new Edelbrock 5412 small block Ford 3×2 intake, or you’re lucky enough to have found a cool old intake for three 97s on your vintage overhead valve engine, check these out. Our new 9253PRO is a 3×2 progressive linkage that places the carbs 4 7/8 inches from carb to carb to fit the new Edelbrock 3×2 intake for small block Ford, plus early Weiand 3×2 intakes too. The new 9251PRO works at 4 7/8 inches apart to fit Offenhauser 3×2 intakes for engines like Ford Y-block and 49-61 Cadillac. If you’re looking for direct linkages for these engines, simply choose our 9245S TwoStep kit and trim the linkage rod to suit.

In addition, our new 9249S 2×2 is a simple direct linkage with swivels for a traditional look, sized for a maximum 7 1/2 inches from carb to carb so it fits the cool intake from Edgy Speed Shop for Dodge/Plymouth 201/218 and 230 Flathead 6-cyl engines. We’re reliably informed it will also fit the vintage Edmunds intake for Plymouth 6 engines (with 7 inch carb spacing).

Moving up in size a little we have the new 9250S and 9250P 2×2 direct linkages (S for swivels, P for premium with rod ends). Both set the carburetors a maximum 8 5/16 inches from carb to carb and are designed specifically for the recently announced Offenhauser 1080 2×2 intake for 1949-63 Cadillac motors. Good news is, they also fit the Eddie Meyer 1932-48 ‘low-rise’ intake for Flathead Ford (at 8 1/4in carb spacing).

Prices are US$49.95 (and UK£26.43 + tax) for the 9249S and 9250S, and US$105.95 (UK£54.13 + tax) for the 9250P. Both 9251PRO and 9253PRO kits are US$175.95 (UK£92.46 + tax).

Designed and manufactured exclusively by Stromberg Carburetor, TwoStep linkage kits combine clean, traditional looks with maximum leverage. They come pre-assembled and install in just two simple steps, without the need for extended throttle shafts. Check out the following features:

    • Die-cast zinc SuperLink lever arms. All other parts stainless steel – even the rod ends and lock nuts.
    • Two new Stromberg ‘Snapback’ throttle return springs, which wrap around the end of the throttle shaft. These chemically blacked, stainless steel torsion springs snap the carburetors shut, yet virtually disappear from view.
    • For a smooth, lightweight look, 2×2 kit swivels are positively fixed by a small e-clip, and the small black set-screws have knurled ends for a strong fix on the stainless rod.
    • P kits have special swivels and bolts, developed to clamp the rod ends tight with a small blind hole in the head. Simply insert a small rod eg, a hex key, to stop the swivels turning while you tighten the lock nuts.
    • Progressive kits have opposite threaded rod ends for easy adjustment. Just spin the rod to adjust for the correct lever angles. The primary lever has three mounting points to change when the secondary carburetors open, and you can pull the front carburetor or push the rear one open to suit individual applications. On the top setting (as supplied), the linkage will start to open the secondary (end) carburetors at around 50% primary (center) carburetor throttle rotation. Lower holes will open the secondaries sooner.
    • Every Stromberg TwoStep linkage kit comes with full instructions, and further help with selection, installation and tuning is available at our Tech Center.