Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Early V8 (1932-53)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 02-04-2011, 12:28 PM   #1
Displayman
Senior Member
 
Displayman's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Hampshire, Illinois
Posts: 392
Default Stromberg 97 carbs leaking

I just installed a pair of rebuilt Stromberg carbs on a Fenton manifold.
Ran new fuel lines and installed fuel pressure guage. Set guage at
2 1/2 lbs. Car is 1947 Merc. 59 AB, mechanical fuel pump.
Dump some gas into carbs, fired up, then died.
Finally enough fuel pumped trhu to carbs. Front carb has minor leak from bowl, carb closet firewall leaking from bowl. I lowered pressure to 2 lbs.
still leaks, but not as much. Any thoughts. I was told that these carbs have a leather diaphram that needs to soak for a while before they function properly?
This is all new to me.
Appreciate any input.

Thanks,
Bob - Hampshire, Illinois
Displayman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-04-2011, 12:33 PM   #2
JWL
Member Emeritus
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Fitzgerald, Georgia
Posts: 2,204
Default Re: Stromberg 97 carbs leaking

The "leather" is on the piston of the accel. pump. There is no chance it has any involment in the leakage. I would need a better definition of where the leaks originate to offer any help. It could be anything from holes in the casting to plug gaskets to float/needle problems.
JWL is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 02-04-2011, 12:48 PM   #3
Bruce Lancaster
Member Emeritus
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Madison, NJ
Posts: 5,230
Default Re: Stromberg 97 carbs leaking

Also...if you have the little chrome gauge/adjuster combination device, be aware that your pressure has absolutely no relationship to what the gauge says or what you do with the adjuster. These things are evil. To add to the fun, many available fuel pumps have diaphragm springs from some later application with much more pressure than a proper flathead one. Stromberg fuel level can vary a good bit with changes in pressure...after engine dies, do you have gas dribbling into carb throat?
Bruce Lancaster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-04-2011, 02:06 PM   #4
Displayman
Senior Member
 
Displayman's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Hampshire, Illinois
Posts: 392
Default Re: Stromberg 97 carbs leaking

Yes, after engine dies, there is gas dribbling into carb throat.
What does that tell me?

Bob

Last edited by Displayman; 02-04-2011 at 02:06 PM. Reason: spelling
Displayman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-04-2011, 02:20 PM   #5
Displayman
Senior Member
 
Displayman's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Hampshire, Illinois
Posts: 392
Default Re: Stromberg 97 carbs leaking

These carbs were just recently overhauled by someone who does it for a living.
Is there a fuel pressure guage that somebody can recommend?

Thanks,
Bob
Displayman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-04-2011, 02:20 PM   #6
Bruce Lancaster
Member Emeritus
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Madison, NJ
Posts: 5,230
Default Re: Stromberg 97 carbs leaking

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Gas level is likely too high, caused by either bad original setting OR inlet pressure high enough to blow gas past the inlet needle. This causes the dribbling and of course immerses the body/lid joint in gas.
Stromergs are ideally set by Fuel level, not float level, and set to that level with the actual pump. Needle closing is not as positive as it could be, and higher pressure fights the needle as it tries to seat.
Bruce Lancaster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-04-2011, 02:38 PM   #7
ken ct
BANNED
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: stratford,ct
Posts: 5,971
Default Re: Stromberg 97 carbs leaking

A leaking carb is like asking how high is up. Where specifickly is it leaking.Rubber inlet needles are a problem and too high a gas pressure.PM me on who built these for you?? ken ct. It could be almost anything.
ken ct is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-04-2011, 08:41 PM   #8
uncle max
Senior Member
 
uncle max's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: SLC Utah
Posts: 798
Default Re: Stromberg 97 carbs leaking

Quote:
Originally Posted by Displayman View Post
These carbs were just recently overhauled by someone who does it for a living.
Is there a fuel pressure guage that somebody can recommend?

Thanks,
Bob
Bob - I'm in a good mood... Send me your two offenders and I'll re-do them for the price of gaskets and "S" jets, plus 13 bucks for the mailman.
I promise no leaks, unless you want them for authenticity.
"Doing it for a living" is subject to speculation...
The Malpassi filter/regulator - used on old Ferraris is adjustable from 1 to 4 lbs and looks right at home on flatheads.
__________________
RIP Tyler... My Son, Helper & Best Friend.
Feb '78 to Father's Day '10.
www.97-express.com ~ [email protected]

Last edited by uncle max; 02-05-2011 at 08:38 AM.
uncle max is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-05-2011, 12:16 AM   #9
Grandadeo
Senior Member
 
Grandadeo's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Jensen Beach, FL
Posts: 565
Default Re: Stromberg 97 carbs leaking

I've posted this before - but even my Stromberg 97 coffee cup leaks, really. I guess it's just the nature of the beast.

Lee
__________________
Salt Is Good... Mk 9:50
Grandadeo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-05-2011, 12:39 AM   #10
stromberg81
Member
 
stromberg81's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Sacramento
Posts: 47
Default Re: Stromberg 97 carbs leaking

Uncle Max, I think it's great what you offer the person. What if the issue is in fuel pressure? At least they will have been touched by knowledgeable hands, (yours)...That's a complement..
Duane...
__________________
..Commitment is a 100%..
stromberg81 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-05-2011, 01:16 AM   #11
ken ct
BANNED
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: stratford,ct
Posts: 5,971
Default Re: Stromberg 97 carbs leaking

Nice of you to offer that max,his problems could be almost anything. "doing it for a living" dont mean a dammed thing there are some hackers out there.LOL with 3' of snow and ice out here in ct. uggg ken ct.
ken ct is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-05-2011, 10:52 AM   #12
Displayman
Senior Member
 
Displayman's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Hampshire, Illinois
Posts: 392
Default Re: Stromberg 97 carbs leaking

Max,
I turned the fuel pressure gauge to 1 psi.
Car runs great, but races, need to turn down idle.
The carbs are not leaking when running now,
and very little drips out after car is shut off?
I still might take you up on your generous offer.
Bob

Bob
Displayman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-05-2011, 11:11 AM   #13
ken ct
BANNED
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: stratford,ct
Posts: 5,971
Default Re: Stromberg 97 carbs leaking

If you turn down the idle on 1 carb you must turn the other one also,other wise you upset the sync on them.Disastrus situation if not done. OMO ken ct.
ken ct is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-05-2011, 11:44 AM   #14
Charles Brock
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Rome, GA
Posts: 120
Default Re: Stromberg 97 carbs leaking

Quote:
Originally Posted by uncle max View Post
Bob - I'm in a good mood... Send me your two offenders and I'll re-do them for the price of gaskets and "S" jets, plus 13 bucks for the mailman.
I promise no leaks, unless you want them for authenticity.
"Doing it for a living" is subject to speculation...
The Malpassi filter/regulator - used on old Ferraris is adjustable from 1 to 4 lbs and looks right at home on flatheads.
Where can you purchase the Malpassi filter/regulator? Thanks
Charles Brock is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-05-2011, 01:41 PM   #15
REAL32
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: mn
Posts: 17
Default Re: Stromberg 97 carbs leaking

Max did a GREAT JOB rebuilding chrome Strombergs for me a few years ago. I highly recommend his work. There were NO LEAKS on these carbs 3 yrs running.
The engine started great, idled perfectly, and ran like a top. I drove 70mph for 9 hrs during 4th of July weekend (Mpls to Des Moines and back) and it ran perfectly with no leaks.

Quality work, good communication, and fast turnaround. It doesn't get better than that... unless it's free!
REAL32 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-05-2011, 03:02 PM   #16
Charlie ny
BANNED
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 3,019
Default Re: Stromberg 97 carbs leaking

Displayman,
If you feel like it remove the air horns and eye ball the float
level...the floats should be slightly less than level when the needle is
seated in the brass inlet fitting. The right side of the float should be
lower by about .030- .040. Of course a fuel level gage is the proper
method but this will get you close.
Double check also the small tab on the inlet side of
the float...the tab contacts the needle, be SURE there is no wear mark
where the needle contacts the tab. Surprisingly a small mark can cause
fits. Notice also the right angle bend at the top of this tab...it is there to
deflect fuel downward as it enters the bowl. It's good to have it there but
too often this bend can interfere with the inside of the bowl and occasion-
ally keep the float from properly seating the needle in the brass inlet.
Having said all this I'm guessing you shouldn't really need a
regulator with a mechanical pump.
In my humble opinion the small Holley fuel pressure regulator
is superior to others....just my opinion.
OR
Send 'em to Uncle Max in Utah.
Charlie ny
Charlie ny is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-05-2011, 05:21 PM   #17
Displayman
Senior Member
 
Displayman's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Hampshire, Illinois
Posts: 392
Default Re: Stromberg 97 carbs leaking

Thanks for the input.

Bob
Displayman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-05-2011, 05:59 PM   #18
ken ct
BANNED
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: stratford,ct
Posts: 5,971
Default Re: Stromberg 97 carbs leaking

Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie ny View Post
Displayman,
If you feel like it remove the air horns and eye ball the float
level...the floats should be slightly less than level when the needle is
seated in the brass inlet fitting. The right side of the float should be
lower by about .030- .040. Of course a fuel level gage is the proper
method but this will get you close.
Double check also the small tab on the inlet side of
the float...the tab contacts the needle, be SURE there is no wear mark
where the needle contacts the tab. Surprisingly a small mark can cause
fits. Notice also the right angle bend at the top of this tab...it is there to
deflect fuel downward as it enters the bowl. It's good to have it there but
too often this bend can interfere with the inside of the bowl and occasion-
ally keep the float from properly seating the needle in the brass inlet.
Having said all this I'm guessing you shouldn't really need a
regulator with a mechanical pump.
In my humble opinion the small Holley fuel pressure regulator
is superior to others....just my opinion.
OR
Send 'em to Uncle Max in Utah.
Charlie ny
Good point Charlie,i usually cut it a little shorter so it dosn't hit the housing. ken ct.
ken ct is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-07-2011, 06:13 AM   #19
flatmotor40
Senior Member
 
flatmotor40's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Georgia
Posts: 606
Default Re: Stromberg 97 carbs leaking

why don't someone make a needle and seat to take teh 5-7psi like the regular carbs have and you wouldn't have the pressure problem with 97's and also 94's
flatmotor40 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-07-2011, 06:32 AM   #20
JWL
Member Emeritus
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Fitzgerald, Georgia
Posts: 2,204
Default Re: Stromberg 97 carbs leaking

I have run the new Strombergs, with the ball valve(S-Jet) inlet, at 7 lbs of fuel pressure and it worked fine on the dyno. Not recommended for road use where sloshing is much different. The major reason the Stromberg is so damn susceptible to leaks at the inlet is because the leverage at the float pivot is not designed for higher than a couple of pounds.
JWL is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:22 PM.