The Ford Barn

Admiral · 10-05-2014, 07:04 PM

Guys,

I've got a couple questions about carbs and cranks, parts at opposite ends of the engine. I did a couple quick searchs but it didn't seem to turn very much up. First, what's more desirable to run on an almost-stock flathead, a Stromberg 48 or 97? I just picked up what looks to be a pretty nice 48 for SUPER cheap. My engine's about 251 cubic inches and has a factory cam. It runs well on a stock 97, but would it benefit from the *slightly* better flow of a 48?

As for crankshafts, what do you veteran engine builders here on the Ford Barn prefer, earlier cranks with full-floating rod bearings or later-style ones with individual inserts? I just picked up a rusty 8BA for relatively little and was curious which rotating assembly was preferred.

Thanks as always,

- Craig

JSeery · 10-05-2014, 07:50 PM

Insert bearings on the crank question.

Brian · 10-05-2014, 08:50 PM

Whereas...I prefer floaters!

Admiral · 10-05-2014, 09:07 PM

And now the plot thickens ...

. That's one for inserts and another for floaters.

WestCoast · 10-05-2014, 09:18 PM

I use inserts, why did ford quit using the floaters and go to inserts, any one know

Ol' Ron · 10-05-2014, 09:55 PM

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I think the application would determine the need for floating bearings,however. being Old school I really like them. Unfortunately they were very expensive to make and install at the factury. When Macnamars and his gang of bean counters took over ford in the late forties, they left along with studs and a decent distributor, among other things.rother things

Talkwrench · 10-05-2014, 11:19 PM

Carb; You probably wont tell the difference with the 48, but give it a try..

TomO · 10-06-2014, 09:33 AM

I would go with a 94 carb as they work better than than a single 97 or 48. I like the floating bearings, but because they are hard to find in some sizes and a lot of machine shops do not know how to properly resize the rods if they are worn, so if I were building a new engine, I would use the insert bearings.

JWL · 10-06-2014, 10:41 AM

For my personal use I prefer FF bearings. However, I recommend the "do-it-yourself" people use inserts.

Someone previously mentioned there is little measurable difference between the 48 and 97. That is true. It is also true, as mentioned above, the Holley 94 does a better job of atomizing and might hold a slight advantage in some situations.

Admiral · 10-06-2014, 12:33 PM

For those of you that favor full-floating bearings, what are the advantages? What is required to set them up properly?

supereal · 10-06-2014, 12:53 PM

An advantage to floaters is they don't require changing of rods to accommodate the inserts. If the original rods have acceptable condition, and the crank is OK, it will cost less than swapping cranks, etc. Your "rusty" 8BA may not be suitable unless it checks out. As to the carb question, if the car is running well with the 97, why change? Swapping carbs seldom produces much, if any, advantage. If the 97 becomes troublesome, I'd go to the 94.

10-05-2014, 07:04 PM	#1
Admiral Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Oakland County, Michigan Posts: 562	Carb and Crank Questions Guys, I've got a couple questions about carbs and cranks, parts at opposite ends of the engine. I did a couple quick searchs but it didn't seem to turn very much up. First, what's more desirable to run on an almost-stock flathead, a Stromberg 48 or 97? I just picked up what looks to be a pretty nice 48 for SUPER cheap. My engine's about 251 cubic inches and has a factory cam. It runs well on a stock 97, but would it benefit from the slightly better flow of a 48? As for crankshafts, what do you veteran engine builders here on the Ford Barn prefer, earlier cranks with full-floating rod bearings or later-style ones with individual inserts? I just picked up a rusty 8BA for relatively little and was curious which rotating assembly was preferred. Thanks as always, - Craig

10-05-2014, 07:50 PM	#2
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: Carb and Crank Questions Insert bearings on the crank question.

10-05-2014, 08:50 PM	#3
Brian Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Masterton, New Zealand Posts: 3,998	Re: Carb and Crank Questions Whereas...I prefer floaters! __________________ Unfortunately, two half wits don't make a whole wit!

10-05-2014, 09:07 PM	#4
Admiral Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Oakland County, Michigan Posts: 562	Re: Carb and Crank Questions And now the plot thickens ... . That's one for inserts and another for floaters.

10-05-2014, 09:18 PM	#5
WestCoast Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: oroville calif Posts: 892	Re: Carb and Crank Questions I use inserts, why did ford quit using the floaters and go to inserts, any one know

10-05-2014, 09:55 PM	#6
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,985	Re: Carb and Crank Questions Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I think the application would determine the need for floating bearings,however. being Old school I really like them. Unfortunately they were very expensive to make and install at the factury. When Macnamars and his gang of bean counters took over ford in the late forties, they left along with studs and a decent distributor, among other things.rother things

10-05-2014, 11:19 PM	#7
Talkwrench Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 2,706	Re: Carb and Crank Questions Carb; You probably wont tell the difference with the 48, but give it a try.. __________________ *"Came too close to dying to stop living now!"*

10-06-2014, 09:33 AM	#8
TomO Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 362	Re: Carb and Crank Questions I would go with a 94 carb as they work better than than a single 97 or 48. I like the floating bearings, but because they are hard to find in some sizes and a lot of machine shops do not know how to properly resize the rods if they are worn, so if I were building a new engine, I would use the insert bearings. __________________ TomO

10-06-2014, 10:41 AM	#9
JWL Member Emeritus Join Date: May 2010 Location: Fitzgerald, Georgia Posts: 2,204	Re: Carb and Crank Questions For my personal use I prefer FF bearings. However, I recommend the "do-it-yourself" people use inserts. Someone previously mentioned there is little measurable difference between the 48 and 97. That is true. It is also true, as mentioned above, the Holley 94 does a better job of atomizing and might hold a slight advantage in some situations.

10-06-2014, 12:33 PM	#10
Admiral Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Oakland County, Michigan Posts: 562	Re: Carb and Crank Questions For those of you that favor full-floating bearings, what are the advantages? What is required to set them up properly?

10-06-2014, 12:53 PM	#11
supereal Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,634	Re: Carb and Crank Questions An advantage to floaters is they don't require changing of rods to accommodate the inserts. If the original rods have acceptable condition, and the crank is OK, it will cost less than swapping cranks, etc. Your "rusty" 8BA may not be suitable unless it checks out. As to the carb question, if the car is running well with the 97, why change? Swapping carbs seldom produces much, if any, advantage. If the 97 becomes troublesome, I'd go to the 94.