Identifying carburetors
 

So, I looked through the archives but couldn’t find the answer so here comes the question. . .

How do I determine if my carburetor is a stromberg 48 or a 97?

Interestingly, Mac’s (gulp)🤪 has a page or two that describe what the various ones look like... BUT !!!

All of their pictures of the NEW 97s show casting details that their description page says is a 48!

HELP!

Re: Identifying carburetors
 

Post a photo of the carb, front back side etc.

Re: Identifying carburetors
 

It's the two sides that count for specific identification purposes.

Re: Identifying carburetors
 

Behind the choke kicker linkage - on the passenger side - you'll see a small raised circle on the main body. 1-1/32 indicates a model 48. A model 97 reads 31/32. There are also differences in the airhorn, throttleshaft and linkage pieces.

Re: Identifying carburetors
 

Thank you, Uncle Max.
I have a 48. Darn it!

Re: Identifying carburetors
 

Darn it??? whats wrong with a 48? Appears you want a 97 for what year car?

Re: Identifying carburetors
 

Bub,
Like Max says there are other things to eye ball.........it could be a model 40,
or a Packard. If yours is a 48 or a 40 I'll swap you for a 97.....no problemo.
Charlie ny
[email protected]

Re: Identifying carburetors
 

Ford Barn is awesome!

I have no competent opinion about the 48. Didn’t know about it until a short time ago. Just that the 97 was some sort of thing that was a good thing.

After a little thought on the matter, I assume (ass of you and me) that there is little difference between the two in performance.

I have a 1947 59 a-block.

Could run just about any carb built by anybody from 1934 to 1948.

My reason is because I rebuilt a Holley and the “economize” drips out the float chamber in less than 24 hours.

So the real question is. :why does my carb leak out its float chamber? And the

ARGH

Re: Identifying carburetors
 

as uncle max stated, the throat is slightly bigger on a 48. so, some of the guys with big cubic inch motors trying to get big horsepower like the 48's. the 97 is more common, and more popular with many because it is a simple carb with a good rep for reliability. thats my thoughts on that, and i will let the real carb people tell you whats wrong with your holly

Re: Identifying carburetors
 

Your Economizer's diaphragm has either been blown out by a backfire through the carb, melted away by modern fuel, or isn't seated with it's gasket properly. Take it out, check the mating surfaces and gasket, and suck it to your tongue to verify the diaphragm.

Re: Identifying carburetors
 

Bub,
My fix for that leak is to machine the gasket face on the e'miser and use
a specific nylon gasket. As stated if the diaphragm is blown all the lathe work in the
world ain't gonna help.

Charlie ny

Re: Identifying carburetors
 

Thanks guys.
The gasket face is in good shape and the economizer has never seen a running engine. I suspect ethanol damage.


Now where do I find an economizer that has been built to handle ethanol?

Re: Identifying carburetors
 

The mating surfaces of the new Economizers don't match the old carburetors. Charlie ny has what you need.

Re: Identifying carburetors
 

I see where Charlie ny is going. However, an extra thick gasket will solve the problem of eliminating the gasket leak. I think.

Inelegant, I agree. But easy to try and NBD.

Perhaps I should “Man up” and rebuild my 48!

It doesn’t have an “economizer” valve.

Comments on that approach are encouraged!

Re: Identifying carburetors
 

The #9 comment above could be interpreted to mean that the Stromberg 48 is a more complex carburetor than the Stromberg 97. I'm sure that is unintended as the two carburetors are identical in mechanical design with only the venturi and jet sizes different.

Re: Identifying carburetors
 

This post refers to 48 and 97 carbs. The carb on my '46 (late year build) has the number 59 cast on the body and Ford on the other side. What company built this carb? Is it comparable to the 48/97 or is it a different breed as far as parts/settings go?

Re: Identifying carburetors
 

Your carb is a Ford/Holley, which replaced the Stromberg carbs. Nothing is compatible between them. The model 59 was used on Ford products from 1945 till 1948, and but for the controls, was the same as earlier carbs starting in 1938 as Chandler Grove carbs. Your particular carb sports an earlier air horn, having an external vent as opposed to the vent tube seen inside the air horn on later carbs.

Re: Identifying carburetors
 

It's worth adding to the info above that the carb above is commonly known as a "94". The venturi diameter is 15/16" which is roughly .94 decimal.

It could have been made by Ford Holley or Chandler Grove.

Holley also made a 1" bore carb called a 2100 and a 1-1/16" bore carb called a 2110. The bigger ones were fitted to some Y block powered vehicles.

Mart.

Re: Identifying carburetors
 

It's interesting that Mart, who lives in the Land of Metrics, picked up on the info that a Yank has omitted. :D

Re: Identifying carburetors
 

I'm old enough to have been taught all the old units and witness the gradual but incessant metrication by stealth that is taking place. I still think in inches and my lathe and milling machine have imperial graduations.

Thanks for pointing it out.