Tag Archives: Ford

Small block Ford 3×2. 5.0 HO. Three 97s.

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It started with a worrying email, and ended with a very happy customer, AND a lesson we can all learn about using teflon tape on fuel fittings. Gary Cone from Las Vegas, NV, owns a cool red 1940 Ford with a small block Ford 5.0 motor and three new 97s on an Edelbrock intake manifold. Here’s a couple of pics – one of the first small block Ford 3×2 new 97 set-ups we have seen. It’s a very tidy installation. Anyway, Gary’s email went:  “DROVE MY CAR TO THE LOCAL CAR MEET THIS MORNING, STARTED THE CAR TO RETURN HOME WHEN THE CARBS CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM GAS RUNNING OUT FROM THE PUMP ROD HOLE. MY FUEL PRESSURE IS AT  2 1/2 POUNDS. I ALMOST LOST MY CAR TODAY. WHAT NOW?”

Gulp. Well, that got our attention! Any 97 inlet valve – old needle and seat or our twin-ball S-jet will only stick open in the event of a float failure (and we’ve never had one ever with our brass floats) or a piece of debris from the tank, for example, lodging in the inlet. And that’s almost impossible too, with an S-jet because the balls spin and eject the dirt. So we emailed straight back and asked Gary to send us his carbs. Our top man Max checked the carbs out with his usual thoroughness and reported on the damage:

“After checking the floats for leaks and then having a good look with the trusty otoscope and magnifying glass, I found a miniscule strand of teflon tape, about an inch long, had migrated from somewhere downstream and wound its way around the big ball in one of the S-jets, causing the valve to be stuck full open. He’s using Superseat hose barbs, so I’m thinking the teflon must’ve swum upstream from a fuel line fitting.”

Anyway, as we state in our 97 Installation Manual, we strongly warn against the use of teflon tape anywhere in a fuel system, and this is exactly why. We have seen pieces inches long work their way into a carburetor like a damn tape-worm. That’s why we designed our Superseat hose ends with the correct seat so they do not need teflon tape. Neither should NPT fittings.

And the happy customer bit? Despite our stated warranty terms (and without prejudice, or admission of fault, as our lawyers like to add), we fixed those toasted carbs like new so he could get his hot rod back on the road. Gary was full of thanks, of course.

New Edelbrock small block 3×2 Ford intake for Stromberg 97s

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You don’t need to be a hot rodder to know that old is now new – or should that be news – but even the most corporate of performance companies are now opening their eyes to nostalgia overhead valve motors. Edelbrock’s new 5412 3×2 intake for small block Ford is not just a reproduction of an old intake, but a brand new one! Click on the pics for a closer look.

To be fair, Edelbrock and Offenhauser have made 3×2 intakes for small block Chevy available for ever. Add three new 97s and our 9246S or 9246PRO TwoStep linkage and you’re just about ready to go. But if you owned a 260, 289 or a 302 Ford and wanted a cool 3×2 intake, you were pretty much out of luck. Until now, that is, as Edelbrock’s 5412 3×2 Ford intake brings 3×2 looks and power to exactly those engines.

Time for a short math note. We’re often asked whether three 97s provide enough air for a small bock Ford or Chevy. Here’s the deal. Engine size (ci) x max revs divided by 3456 is the maximum air your cylinders can handle if your motor is 100% volumetrically efficient (which is unlikely). So even for the bigger Ford, 302 x 5500/3456 = 480cfm. Most engines are nearer 80% efficient at the top end (so they need just 384cfm), but even if it is 100%, three new 97s can give you 486cfm max. And remember, you only need that much air at high revs. We haven’t dyno’d this intake yet, but the Chevy 3×2 dual plane intakes pretty much flatten out at 5000rpm anyway. Remember, for most of us, it’s more about mid-range torque and drivability.

There’s not a whole bunch else for us to say, except that the 5412 is claimed to be good for 5500rpm and costs just under 400 bucks. Our TwoStep 9253S (direct) and 9253PRO (progressive) linkages bolt straight on. And you can find out more at Stromberg dealer Summit Racing‘s website. As soon as we can get our hands on one, we’ll get better pics and get it on the dyno too.

New Stromberg linkages – small block Ford and more!

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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.

New 2×2 linkage for Ford 4-bangers

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We’ve got together with our buddy Charlie Yapp at Scalded Dog Speed Parts (and the early Ford four-banger dedicated ‘Secrets of Speed Society’, of course) to produce some cool linkages for early Ford Model A-based four-cylinder engines.

The new Stromberg TwoStep 9248S (direct) and 9248PRO (progressive) linkages are designed principally for use with the popular Scalded Dog Equalizer and Riley Two Port intake manifolds (both available from Scalded Dog Speed Parts), which set the carburetors five inches apart. The new TwoStep 9252S and 9252PRO linkages set the carburetors 9 5/8th inches apart to suit Burns, Zephyr and Roof 101 Cyclone intakes. Prices for all kits are highly competitive: $45.95 (or £24.96 + UK tax) for the S (direct) kits, and $99.95 (or £49.96 + UK tax) for the PRO (progressives).

Designed and manufactured exclusively by Stromberg Carburetor, the TwoStep linkage range combines clean, traditional looks with maximum leverage and huge versatility. Each kit comes pre-assembled and installs 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.
  • Every kit comes with 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.
  • TwoStep progressive systems are designed to ensure optimum performance and maximum versatility. The long primary lever has three mounting points so you can change when the secondary carburetor opens, 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 carburetor at around 50% throttle. Lower holes will open the secondary carburetor sooner.
  • To improve leverage, the primary (center) arm was kept as long as possible without hitting the carburetor S-jet. It also has a bigger clamping screw to handle more linkage torque. The sliding progressive rod meets the secondary carb rod at the top of the lever arm – not part way down like some systems. Effective leverage is especially important as 97 multi-carb systems have strong spring resistance.
  • The neat tapered rod stops are fully adjustable, with discreet set screw fixings.

Just one warning, I’m afraid: Like most progressive linkage systems for Stromberg carburetors, the TwoStep progressive linkages cannot be used with banjo fuel fittings (eg. Stromberg 9082K and 9083K). The banjo and its fuel hose interfere with the long (primary) linkage arm causing linkage binding or sticking. You can use our 9080K hose ends instead, of course, leading your hoses to a firewall-mounted 2-outlet fuel manifold block.

We wouldn’t be responsible if we didn’t ask you to read the instructions before installation, of course. Luckily, (and unlike most other linkage suppliers) Stromberg TwoStep linkages all come with full instructions.

Merc of the Year 2011 – also Stromberg Equipped!

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You’ve got to love Ron House of Lake Grove, NY. I mean, he doesn’t just love customs. I mean he LOVES KUSTOMS. So for Ron, life doesn’t get much better than winning Merc of the Year at The James Dean Run 2011. At the 2012 event, his ’50 Merc convertible will appear on all the event T-shirts, Hats, Jackets and Sweat Shirts. As he said, “My Merc came together better than I ever dreamed and being the 2012 T-Shirt Merc was the frosting on the cake.”

Ron’s a real ‘Back in the day” kinda guy and for him a Full House Flathead means bored, stroked, hi-compression aluminum heads, full race cam, hot ignition, exhaust headers, dual exhaust and of course, a triple deuce manifold. So in August 2010 his fabricator Anthony Bordonaro (aka The Kustom Kid) contracted Gary Sharkey at The Engine Shop, Babylon, New York to build exactly that. And we’re talking…are you sitting down?… “Full House Flathead”, 294 cubic inches, Edelbrock High-Lift large chamber heads (PN 1116), 3 5/16 Ross pistons, 4.250 Eagle crankshaft, Scat con-rods, Isky 88 Full Race cam, Sanderson tubular headers (PN FH1) with Stainless Specialties custom 2.250 tubing, mufflers and exhaust tips, Power Gen alternator, Power Master XS Torque starter and an MSD electronic distributor (PN 8573). The cooling system is a Griffin Radiator with high flow rebuilt water pumps and 160 degree Robert Shaw balanced sleeve thermostats. Naturally, the whole motor was  balanced, blue-printed and dyno tested.

Did I mention the tripower? I have now. Edelbrock 3×2 intake manifold (PN 1109) with new Genuine Stromberg 97 carburetors, TwoStep fuel line and progressive linkage kit, with a trick Kustom Kid fabbed throttle set-up.

On September 14, 2011, Ron headed West in the Merc for a 2200 mile road trip, taking in  The Rebel Run (Lima Ohio), Henry Ford Museum (Dearborn, Michigan), The Ducktail Run (Gas City, Indiana) and The James Dean Run (Fairmount, Indiana). The flathead V-8 performed flawlessly, the Convert received great reviews, winning awards along the way,  before arriving at The James Dean Run. A dream come true.

Ron told us, “I just came from Anthony’s and he stated my tripower 97 setup needed no jetting changes. He just wired the chokes open on the front and rear carbs, and did all the fine adjusting on the center carb. He also ran an Aeromotive pressure regulator with a return gas line to the tank, so he could adjust the pressure at a steady three pounds. This Full House Flathead (294 CI) runs super with your 97s. I had to pull this heavy Merc over some big mountains in PA, but no problems. When I needed that extra push, the other two carbs would kick in and this Turnpike Cruiser Merc ran like a superstar. The Stromberg 97s were the key to success for my Full House Flathead.”….Rave on, Ron! Enjoy the pics.