We recently launched some new fuel fitting parts so you can make 5/16in fuel lines for Stromberg 97s. While the stock early Ford 1/4in OD hard lines are great-looking for a typical flathead motor, many people like the thicker lines for Chevys and other applications. This includes us, of course, as our recently launched 9146-BIG 3-into-1 fuel line uses 5/16in OD stainless hard line. And more than that, all our forthcoming new Stromberg BIG 97s are 5/16in hard line compatible. You can see in these pictures how the BIG S-jet seats the 5/16in line and what happens when you try it in the regular S-jet – it leaves no seat for the ferrule. Click to enlarge.
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- 9564K-BIG with 9081K-BIG for 5/16in line
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- 9564K-BIG with 9080K Superseat hose end
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- Regular 97 S-jet with 1/4in and 5/16in line
Today we got a tech enquiry from Shane Dale in Australia that covers this very question, so we thought we’d share it here:
Hello, I have three new 97’s that I purchased in 2011 and am finally getting around to fitting up. I will be bending my own 5/16 OD hard line and was wondering what size fitting will screw into the carb? I purchased three 9180K’s and started hand screwing them but stopped quickly as it went tight.
Hi Shane, A couple of issues here. Firstly, 9180K is our 1/4NPT hard line adapter so the tapered NPT thread won’t fit into the S-jet, which is 1/2in UNF – that’s why it went tight. And as you worked out, regular Stromberg 97 inlet valves (needle & seats) were designed with a 1/4in pocket to take the line and the angled seat is positioned so the brass ferrule can compress properly to seal on the 1/4 pipe. If you put 5/16in line in, it doesn’t sit in the hole properly and covers most of the angled ferrule sealing surface. The good news is, we recently developed a new S-jet inlet valve for our 97s specifically for 5/16th line, and we also just launched a pack of compatible ‘Ford Nut’ style compression fittings for them. You need 3 x 9564K-BIG (the S-jet inlet valve) and just one pack (3 nuts and 3 ferrules in a pack) of 9081K-BIG (the Ford Nut for 5/16th line).
All the best, Stromberg Tech.
Golly, just realised we never posted our pictures from The Second Annual Pendine Sands Amateur Hot Rod Races, hosted by the Vintage Hot Rod Association. Here’s a healthy selection of the pics we (Clive and Rick Pearmain) took. You might notice how many of them are of Stromberg 97s. That’s because there were so many Strombergs at Pendine we couldn’t stop ourselves. It filled us with pride almost as fast as the pub on the quay filled us with Welsh beer. As we drove to the event, we wondered whether this could be the first UK meeting that Americans fly over to be part of, just as so many of us UK folks fly over to US events. And sure enough we met a great couple who had read about it on the interweb literally a few days before, and booked a flight. There they were, hanging out on a beach miles from nowhere, just enjoying the old style hot rods. That’s what the old car hobby does to us.
We love a testimonial here at Stromberg. And this is right up there. Stromberg customer Mark Biggin drives his Model AV8 – a lot. In his own words: “I stuck the new 97 on straight from the box then headed off to Pilzen in the Czech Republic (800 miles from his home in the UK) for the Liberation Festival back in 2010. It’s done nigh on 30,000 miles since and I’ve not had to touch it (occasionally adjust the idle speed). Been through two engines, two gearboxes, rear axle overhauls and a new roof mind you!
Ok, from one to ten, how cool is this picture? The red ‘sports rod’, the chequered flag, the white racing overalls, the haircuts, the big steering wheel, the female interest. Man, it’s got it all. Looks more like a shot from a 1950’s thrills and spills auto movie. But it’s real – entitled, ‘Dad’s win in 1956’.
When a guy sends you pictures of his car build and you see carpet in the garage, you know he’s serious about quality finish and detail. Jim Johnson falls into that category. And once you check out the pictures of his cool black ’32 roadster, I reckon you’ll agree that car, guy and garage all fit together pretty well.
