Stromberg 97 Carb. - does it need a choke cable?

[DougVieyra]

There has been a Stromberg 97 carburetor on my '31 Dlx Coupe since it was restored about 2006. It has never had (or needed) a choke cable to initiate a start up. Recently however, the carb. no longer starts without some manual choking, and with some effort to get it to start. Additionally, sometimes I have to use a 'starter fluid' to get it to start.

So that begs me to ask the question: Of those of you who use a Stromberg 97, how many have a manual cable (or other) choke set-up to initiate engine firing?

And of those of you who do have a Choke set-up, what do you have and how is it set up?

[rally 1]

Having run Strombergs since '06, I've experienced the same problem.
In each case, the problem was a vacuum leak, either from the intake gasket, the carb base gasket, or a leak between the carb body and the baseplate.

I HAVE used the choke cable (as sold by Snyders) that is made for the Weber carb, along with the choke bracket from Stromberg on several customer cars.

You might want to do a compression check as well, One or two holes, low on compression will cause similar problems.

Ken

[emf]

I have a choke cable to only one of the pair of 81's. I use the cast bracket that had Edmonds engraved on it. I'm trying to find an alternative bracket, since the one mounting screw allows the bracket to pivot slightly. This often causes the choke plate to not close completely and I'm forced to get out and close it by hand. Once the engine warms up, I never have to choke to start. I would like to just replace the choke cable with a simple rod, but I'd have to drill a hole in the firewall, something I have resisted.

Frank

[George Miller]

The choke is on there for a reason. In cold weather it helps it run better un tell it warms up. If it used to start ok, your accelerator pump might be getting weak.

[Jim Brierley]

Another possibility is the accelerator pump is not functioning as it should. It could be dried out or ???

[DougVieyra]

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Thanks guys. I am looking forward to any additional input that the experienced Forum members have to share. Each time one of you posts your experience, we all learn and are helped. Occasionally, we all need to stop and pause to thank the 'powers that be' that we have such a wonderful forum to share and learn from - with a little bit of socializing on the side - just for fun !

[Benson]

1. vacuum wiper or hose leak since it is a '31 ...

[john in illinois]

I have a choke cable on my tudor and need it to start.

John

[Kevin in NJ]

I do not know much about the 97, but I do know the new gas seems to leave more residue behind.

My 6 cyl Mustang got worse idling after a couple of years it was stalling.

Cleaned the jets and the problem went away.

Of course it could be a combination of slight air leak and reduced jet size and the spyder that made a nest...

[denis4x4]

I used the stock A choke rod with a couple of modifications

[emf]

Me thinks your firewall is not stock, since in my 31, the original choke rod come out below the centerline and there's no way a straight choke rod will reach my carbs...

Frank

[denis4x4]

You are correct....however, on my '29 ccpu I also have the stock choke rod with a bend so that I can use it on the stromberg down draft. The one in the photo is '27 hot rod.

[hotrodalley]

I use a snyders choke cable on a new 97. Had similar problem as "emf" with Edmunds engraved choke bracket and solved the problem by adding some material to the back side of the bracket so it sits flush with the back of the carb. Not totally related, but I have not been impressed with the edmunds repo items on the market.

[1929]

I never use the choke on my 97, I just pump the gas once and the engine starts right up, maybe that's because its in the garage. I never had to start it in extreme cold weather yet.

[CarlG]

I have only recently began using a Stromberg 97. Setting up for a choke was quite a quandary. I tried using the Edmonds choke bracket, but like several of you, wasn't impressed. Never could make it work right.

So, after a few trial & error attempts I settled on this one:

I ordered the choke bracket that Strombers sells and installed it on the carburetor. Used the choke cable that Snyder's sells. Fed it thru the hole in the firewall that was there for the vacuum wiper.

Seems to work quite well. Don't have to use it much in the summer, but when it get's a little nippy outside, gives it a little boost till it warms up.

Here's the result:

[emf]

I was going to run the choke cable out through the hole for the wiper hose, but I was afraid that someone may notice that it was not quite correct for a 1931.

[CarlG]

Originally Posted by emf

I was going to run the choke cable out through the hole for the wiper hose, but I was afraid that someone may notice that it was not quite correct for a 1931.

Mine actually looks like it belongs after I finally got it in there.. It really looked wierd when I ran it down thru the factory choke hole and then back up to the carb sitting as high as it does. If you have a 97 on your car, they are going to think a whole lot more than just the choke cable not in the correct place

[denis4x4]

On some carbs, the choke linkage is complex! This is a Ford logo single barrel carb on a Stromberg-Bendix intake. The choke rod needs to be pushed so I came up with this arrangement using the stock choke rod.

[mngreen]

Like some of the other responds above, I too did not have a choke cable on my 97 for some 30 years. But a few years ago, after upgrading to a new english 97 and replacing the fuel shut off valve (so I could really drain the line/AC pump/carb at shut down), I had the need for the choke occasionally.

I bought a "universal" choke cable at the local Pep Boys (under $10). Didn't need to anchor the outside cable sheath at the carb connection since the geometry of sending the cable out the vacuum wiper grommet hole to carb and the stiffness of the cable wire was sufficient. The trick was to anchor the top of the cable at the stock choke mount under the gas tank. There was a very nice choke carb bracket available from Stromberg, but was costly, so I didn't buy it. I cannibalized a stock fuel linkage end (cut it at 1 inch long), drilled it with a very small hole to accommodate the choke cable wire end secured with epoxy. Ended up looking quite slick and natural.

[Jason in TX]

i needed a choke rod on my 81s. I used a timing adjustment rod, cut one end off and bent the end down into a 90 degree angle as the "handle" then ran it straight through the firewall.