The Ford Barn

felix37 · 10-29-2015, 01:52 PM

Just wanted To let you all know I installed one of Stromberg's new BIG 97's on my 37 a few weeks I have been running a 94 for several years and was OK with it but after several re builds it was giving me some trouble. I rebuilt my 59A last year and installed a Max1 cam, electric ignition, and Red's headers. I spent a BUNCH of time deburring, polishing and then plating my original 37 intake so going to a multi carb set up wasn't on my radar, plus I drive my car every day and didn't want to be messing with carburetor's on a regular basis.. I thought my car could use a little more performance, so when I saw this new carb I thought it would be a good solution. I'm glad I did this! I bolted it on and had an immediate improvement. Stromberg say's they produce 250 cfm with improved fuel circuits...After running this for a few weeks, the only issue I have had is that If I leave it idling for several minutes it will load up a bit, I believe I can remedy this by going down a jet size.
anyway, I'm pretty happy with the switch and was just wondering if anyone else is using one of these yet and their experience thus far?

37 Coupe · 10-29-2015, 02:11 PM

I have been using a Stromberg 97 for about 5 years,one of the English made ones from Fordbarner Uncle Max and very pleased.I don't understand the "Big 97" something new? Hopefully not the Speedway China one.

felix37 · 10-29-2015, 02:20 PM

No, This is something new from Stromberg in England. same outside dimensions with all the original Stromberg markings but modified internally.

sidevalve8ba · 10-29-2015, 02:32 PM

Can you feel any "seat of the pants" improvement in power and performance?

flathead 53 · 10-29-2015, 02:35 PM

that sounds good 250 cfm, what is the cfm on a stock 94 ?

felix37 · 10-29-2015, 04:12 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Stromberg claims that their BIG 97's flow 55% more than their standard 97's.
big 97's have a 1.175 in. venturi with super-efficient 20 degree entry angles. The accelerator pump discharge jets are smaller and well out of the booster airflow. flared exit cones build power by slowing the mixture down to reduce turbulence into the manifold.
Ted I did see a noticeable difference in the feel of the car.

Bored&Stroked · 10-29-2015, 04:28 PM

Question: Did you just bolt it on to the stock manifold . . . or did you port the manifold to handle the bigger throttle plate sizes? The throttle bores are a lot bigger than a regular 97 or 94, so if you just bolted it on, then there is a big miss-match between the bottom of the carb and the stock manifold.

Let us know . . .

felix37 · 10-29-2015, 04:48 PM

Yes, I just bolted it on. In the instructions provided by Stromberg they stated " to make the most of your big 97's improved airflow capability, some intakes may need opening up around the bores and down into the webs between the two bores"
when I set the carb on I moved the throttle plates and didn't see or feel any clearance problems.. so maybe someone in the past opened mine up?

felix37 · 10-29-2015, 04:51 PM

Here is there info
www.stromberg-97.com
www.stromberg-bulletin.com

Ol' Ron · 10-29-2015, 05:35 PM

I would think the intake manufold should be bored to match the carb, to take advantage of the increase flow. Just bell mouthing the intake won't help. I do think the new big 97 is an improvement over the original, but just bolting it on seems like a waste of money.

37 Cab · 10-29-2015, 06:29 PM

If it is loading up after idling a while I would check fuel pressure to start.

Talkwrench · 10-29-2015, 07:57 PM

Thanks for letting us know.. Was there a cost difference?

JWL · 10-30-2015, 06:21 AM

The BIG 97 would be a nice step up in performance!! I remember testing the difference between a 81 and a 97 and the acceleration improvement was astounding. I sure wish I could have added a BIG 97 to that test scenario.

If a over rich condition begins after engine has been idling for some time it is unlikely a jet change is in order. Very unlikely. The first place to look is at fuel level and needle valve creep.

felix37 · 10-31-2015, 01:30 PM

Ol'Ron, I will eventually bore it to match and open it up a bit. But I was just interested in how it performed in "plug and play" mode.
As for the cost, they are about forty bucks more than the new standard Stromberg 97's.

Ol' Ron · 10-31-2015, 02:42 PM

It was interesting to hear about the test JWL ran on the 81 vs 97. I was on the trip to Bville with john when he ran the test. I think we were both impressed with the performance increase. However, we also took track of the mileage on the 81 vs 97 and the difference was minimal. The 81 averages around 19 mpg and the 97 around 17. Small price to pay for the performance gain.

10-29-2015, 02:11 PM	#2
37 Coupe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,835	Re: New Stromberg BIG 97 I have been using a Stromberg 97 for about 5 years,one of the English made ones from Fordbarner Uncle Max and very pleased.I don't understand the "Big 97" something new? Hopefully not the Speedway China one. __________________ "Never complain,never explain"... Henry Ford II

10-29-2015, 02:20 PM	#3
felix37 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 1,093	Re: New Stromberg BIG 97 No, This is something new from Stromberg in England. same outside dimensions with all the original Stromberg markings but modified internally.

10-29-2015, 02:32 PM	#4
sidevalve8ba Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Harrisonburg, VA Posts: 842	Re: New Stromberg BIG 97 Can you feel any "seat of the pants" improvement in power and performance? __________________ The more I learn about new automobiles, the more I value my old ones.

10-29-2015, 02:35 PM	#5
flathead 53 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: central nj Posts: 717	Re: New Stromberg BIG 97 that sounds good 250 cfm, what is the cfm on a stock 94 ?

10-29-2015, 04:12 PM	#6
felix37 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 1,093	Re: New Stromberg BIG 97 Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Stromberg claims that their BIG 97's flow 55% more than their standard 97's. big 97's have a 1.175 in. venturi with super-efficient 20 degree entry angles. The accelerator pump discharge jets are smaller and well out of the booster airflow. flared exit cones build power by slowing the mixture down to reduce turbulence into the manifold. Ted I did see a noticeable difference in the feel of the car.

10-29-2015, 04:28 PM	#7
Bored&Stroked Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 5,064	Re: New Stromberg BIG 97 Question: Did you just bolt it on to the stock manifold . . . or did you port the manifold to handle the bigger throttle plate sizes? The throttle bores are a lot bigger than a regular 97 or 94, so if you just bolted it on, then there is a big miss-match between the bottom of the carb and the stock manifold. Let us know . . .

10-29-2015, 04:48 PM	#8
felix37 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 1,093	Re: New Stromberg BIG 97 Yes, I just bolted it on. In the instructions provided by Stromberg they stated " to make the most of your big 97's improved airflow capability, some intakes may need opening up around the bores and down into the webs between the two bores" when I set the carb on I moved the throttle plates and didn't see or feel any clearance problems.. so maybe someone in the past opened mine up?

10-29-2015, 04:51 PM	#9
felix37 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 1,093	Re: New Stromberg BIG 97 Here is there info www.stromberg-97.com www.stromberg-bulletin.com

10-29-2015, 05:35 PM	#10
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,860	Re: New Stromberg BIG 97 I would think the intake manufold should be bored to match the carb, to take advantage of the increase flow. Just bell mouthing the intake won't help. I do think the new big 97 is an improvement over the original, but just bolting it on seems like a waste of money.

10-29-2015, 06:29 PM	#11
37 Cab Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Miami Oklahoma Posts: 535	Re: New Stromberg BIG 97 If it is loading up after idling a while I would check fuel pressure to start. __________________ Tommy

10-29-2015, 07:57 PM	#12
Talkwrench Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 2,687	Re: New Stromberg BIG 97 Thanks for letting us know.. Was there a cost difference? __________________ *"Came too close to dying to stop living now!"*

10-30-2015, 06:21 AM	#13
JWL Member Emeritus Join Date: May 2010 Location: Fitzgerald, Georgia Posts: 2,204	Re: New Stromberg BIG 97 The BIG 97 would be a nice step up in performance!! I remember testing the difference between a 81 and a 97 and the acceleration improvement was astounding. I sure wish I could have added a BIG 97 to that test scenario. If a over rich condition begins after engine has been idling for some time it is unlikely a jet change is in order. Very unlikely. The first place to look is at fuel level and needle valve creep.

10-31-2015, 01:30 PM	#14
felix37 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 1,093	Re: New Stromberg BIG 97 Ol'Ron, I will eventually bore it to match and open it up a bit. But I was just interested in how it performed in "plug and play" mode. As for the cost, they are about forty bucks more than the new standard Stromberg 97's.

10-31-2015, 02:42 PM	#15
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,860	Re: New Stromberg BIG 97 It was interesting to hear about the test JWL ran on the 81 vs 97. I was on the trip to Bville with john when he ran the test. I think we were both impressed with the performance increase. However, we also took track of the mileage on the 81 vs 97 and the difference was minimal. The 81 averages around 19 mpg and the 97 around 17. Small price to pay for the performance gain.