The Ford Barn

39topless · 06-15-2015, 10:20 PM

I did lots of research and it appears there are two schools of thought regarding setting the float in an original Stromberg 97. One is the "dry" method where the float is set level with the carb body or by using a measurement from the top of the float. The other is the "wet" method and here, the fuel level in the carb is measured (not the float) while the engine is running.
It seems to me that the fuel level is the critical factor so I am attempting to do that. Because I have installed an electric fuel pump, I am able to measure the fuel level by removing the air horn of the car and simply turning on the electric fuel pump without the car running.
My question: Could not find a tool in my local parts stores so I have made a "miniature" L- square out of the card stock of a legal pad and have marked the recommended fuel level of 15/32's. My problem is, when I place the "tool" in the fuel bowl, I get en inaccurate reading because of the "surface tension" effect of a liquid next to a solid . The liquid rides up the carb wall and up the tool surface. How can I compensate for this?
Sorry for the length of this post and thank you for your reply.

Terry,OH · 06-16-2015, 06:52 AM

The level is not as "critical" as you may think. Thousands of 97's have been set by repair men using the dry method. If you have your heart set on the wet method how about something like the photo below. The Meniscus Effect is something you have to live with using the wet method.

B-O-B · 06-16-2015, 10:28 AM

Very simple to place a straight edge over the top walls(from one side to the other or catty corner) of the carb & measure down to the top of the fuel without touching it.

JWL · 06-16-2015, 12:28 PM

I use the method B-O-B mentioned and I use a syringe to remove fuel and allow bowl to refill, several times, to get a good feel for the sealing at the seat and the fuel level.

39topless · 06-16-2015, 12:45 PM

It's all so simple after someone "splains" it. Thanks.

Capt Kirk · 06-16-2015, 04:00 PM

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Having never worked on a 97 I have what could be a very naïve question. Is the fuel level in the float bowl really that critical? It's set at 15/32"...If it's set 1/32" on either side of that will it be a deal breaker? How about 1/16"? We drive up hill, down hill, side slope and the fuel in the bowl is finding level likely in excess of those tolerances. I'm an Engineer and am all about tolerances and measurements but isn't worrying about a meniscus or the volume of fuel displaced by a thin piece of card-stock worrying about too much?

39topless · 06-16-2015, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt Kirk

Having never worked on a 97 I have what could be a very naïve question. Is the fuel level in the float bowl really that critical? It's set at 15/32"...If it's set 1/32" on either side of that will it be a deal breaker? How about 1/16"? We drive up hill, down hill, side slope and the fuel in the bowl is finding level likely in excess of those tolerances. I'm an Engineer and am all about tolerances and measurements but isn't worrying about a meniscus or the volume of fuel displaced by a thin piece of card-stock worrying about too much?

I too have never worked on a 97, until this one. Your question is a good one. Is a tolerance of 1/16" that critical? The "instructions" from Stromberg request a minimum of 15/16" and a maximum of 17/16". That gave me the idea that this was a really critical measurement. That's a difference of only 1/16" which is about what the meniscus would measure, thus my concern about the meniscus. It seems as if my meniscus worries are meritless. I shall, from hereon, ignore the meniscus.
Thanks for the input. Phil

JSeery · 06-16-2015, 08:37 PM

Wouldn't that be 2/16 = 1/8?

uncle max · 06-16-2015, 09:02 PM

I think this whole deal has been overthunk.
Set 'em dry and forget 'em.
With 15 out of 16 of the ones I've seen, the floats are usually dented in the bottom, from slamming into the cast-in stop.
To compensate for the dent - and the volume of fuel in the bowl - I always set the floats slightly lower than level... Measure down 9/32" (a fat 1/4") from the gasket surface to the far edge of the top of the free end of the float, just next to the hump.
Remember that too high a fuel level will have the same effect as larger jets. It's also a good idea to nip a bit off the tang, so it doesn't hit before it should.

39topless · 06-16-2015, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSeery

Wouldn't that be 2/16 = 1/8?

Sorry, I meant 32's not 16's. Good catch.

39topless · 06-17-2015, 10:39 PM

Got the floats set in my two carbs using a "tool" like TERRY OH suggested for the "wet" method and also employed a little of the "dry" method as per Maxx. Thanks to all. It now runs much better. Starts easier and has good immediate response to sudden acceleration. BUT!!! Now it back fires through the exhaust on quick acceleration. Always something.

06-15-2015, 10:20 PM	#1
39topless Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 1,027	Setting float in a stromberg 97 I did lots of research and it appears there are two schools of thought regarding setting the float in an original Stromberg 97. One is the "dry" method where the float is set level with the carb body or by using a measurement from the top of the float. The other is the "wet" method and here, the fuel level in the carb is measured (not the float) while the engine is running. It seems to me that the fuel level is the critical factor so I am attempting to do that. Because I have installed an electric fuel pump, I am able to measure the fuel level by removing the air horn of the car and simply turning on the electric fuel pump without the car running. My question: Could not find a tool in my local parts stores so I have made a "miniature" L- square out of the card stock of a legal pad and have marked the recommended fuel level of 15/32's. My problem is, when I place the "tool" in the fuel bowl, I get en inaccurate reading because of the "surface tension" effect of a liquid next to a solid . The liquid rides up the carb wall and up the tool surface. How can I compensate for this? Sorry for the length of this post and thank you for your reply. Last edited by 39topless; 06-16-2015 at 12:22 AM.

06-16-2015, 10:28 AM	#3
B-O-B Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ft Mohave,Az Posts: 2,011	Re: Setting float in a stromberg 97 Very simple to place a straight edge over the top walls(from one side to the other or catty corner) of the carb & measure down to the top of the fuel without touching it.

06-16-2015, 12:28 PM	#4
JWL Member Emeritus Join Date: May 2010 Location: Fitzgerald, Georgia Posts: 2,204	Re: Setting float in a stromberg 97 I use the method B-O-B mentioned and I use a syringe to remove fuel and allow bowl to refill, several times, to get a good feel for the sealing at the seat and the fuel level.

06-16-2015, 12:45 PM	#5
39topless Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 1,027	Re: Setting float in a stromberg 97 It's all so simple after someone "splains" it. Thanks.

06-16-2015, 04:00 PM	#6
Capt Kirk Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Clarkston MI Posts: 830	Re: Setting float in a stromberg 97 Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Having never worked on a 97 I have what could be a very naïve question. Is the fuel level in the float bowl really that critical? It's set at 15/32"...If it's set 1/32" on either side of that will it be a deal breaker? How about 1/16"? We drive up hill, down hill, side slope and the fuel in the bowl is finding level likely in excess of those tolerances. I'm an Engineer and am all about tolerances and measurements but isn't worrying about a meniscus or the volume of fuel displaced by a thin piece of card-stock worrying about too much? __________________ 35 Ford Cabriolet 56 Chevy Pickup 63 VW Bug Empty wallet

06-16-2015, 08:37 PM	#8
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: Setting float in a stromberg 97 Wouldn't that be 2/16 = 1/8?

06-16-2015, 09:02 PM	#9
uncle max Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: SLC Utah Posts: 810	Re: Setting float in a stromberg 97 I think this whole deal has been overthunk. Set 'em dry and forget 'em. With 15 out of 16 of the ones I've seen, the floats are usually dented in the bottom, from slamming into the cast-in stop. To compensate for the dent - and the volume of fuel in the bowl - I always set the floats slightly lower than level... Measure down 9/32" (a fat 1/4") from the gasket surface to the far edge of the top of the free end of the float, just next to the hump. Remember that too high a fuel level will have the same effect as larger jets. It's also a good idea to nip a bit off the tang, so it doesn't hit before it should. __________________ RIP Tyler... My Son, Helper & Best Friend. Feb '78 to Father's Day '10. www.97-express.com ~ [email protected]

06-17-2015, 10:39 PM	#11
39topless Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 1,027	Re: Setting float in a stromberg 97 Got the floats set in my two carbs using a "tool" like TERRY OH suggested for the "wet" method and also employed a little of the "dry" method as per Maxx. Thanks to all. It now runs much better. Starts easier and has good immediate response to sudden acceleration. BUT!!! Now it back fires through the exhaust on quick acceleration. Always something.