Another carburetor question

[Ricosan]

Hey Guys,
I have 2 carburetors that I replaced on my ‘33 woodie after they left me stranded on the road more than once.

I want to have them rebuilt, but only if they are genuine Strombergs 97s and not a knockoff. Are this a genuine Stromberg?
Richard

[deuce_roadster]

More info needed. Describe how you were stranded. There could be other culprits. If the problem is fuel related it could be the pump, vapor lock, junk in the line from a rusty tank etc. It could also be an ignition problem. How did it die, was it flooded? There are many things that can cause you to be sitting on the edge of the road. Lots of good help here. Also, does your car run with 2 carbs on the engine or 1 that you swapped out?

[Brian]

That looks like one of those 'genuine' English built strombergs. As such, I very much doubt it needs a rebuild

[Ricosan]

Deuce. - When I was stranded on the side of the road, it was because the engine was starved for fuel. I replaced the fuel pump but same problem. I replaced both carburetors with known functioning strombergs and I’ve driven over 600 miles since.
My suspicion is that they got clogged with debris from the gas tank.
Brian. - I agree, they do look like the British strombergs. Is there some marker that would distinguish genuine strombergs from a slick knockoff. I don’t want to spend good money repair a knockoff.

[Brian]

the stainless fasteners and linkages, along with the 'S' symbol stamped into the choke butterfly tell me this is a 'genuine' British Stromberg
Again, I doubt it needs a rebuild- what for??

[FlatheadTed]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Not a lot can wear out a stromberg it pays to run a filter next to you r carb ,with a vintage tank , Ted

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by Brian

the stainless fasteners and linkages, along with the 'S' symbol stamped into the choke butterfly tell me this is a 'genuine' British Stromberg
Again, I doubt it needs a rebuild- what for??

[Ricosan]

Thanks Brian, that’s just what I was looking for.

[Terry,OH]

Take the top casting off and peek into the float bowl if you believe there is dirt inside.

[uncle buck]

I had similar problems on my truck and the problem was solved with a coil rebuild by Skip Haney, not fuel related. I also replaced carb and fuel pump prior to the coil. My tank had also been cleaned and sealed along with new fuel line and NOS fuel sender.

[Ricosan]

Terry, my plan was to send it out to have it professionally repaired or buy a kit and try to fix it myself. Still up in the air. I know I don’t want a repeat of sitting on the side of the road for 3 hours.
Buck, that’s what I thought could’ve been the problem also. I replaced the dinky condenser with one of Tubmans fat brass ones. No problems with spark.
Richard

[tubman]

Originally Posted by Ricosan

.... I replaced the dinky condenser with one of Tubmans fat brass ones. No problems with spark.
Richard

A little off-topic "Ricosan", but it's good to hear.

[51504bat]

Uncle Max is the man for all things Stromberg related
http://97-express.com/

[Ken/Alabama]

Are you getting any trash in the glass bowl on the fuel pump ? Could be as simple as a stuck float on one of the carbs. When running two carbs together if one carb starves for gas it creates a huge vacuum leak because it’s sucking air with no gas and the engine dies.Also check the flex hose , it could be sucking air causing a problem.

[Ricosan]

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions. I have to confess I felt a little intimidated by the thought of taking the carburetors apart but after watching a few videos on You Tube I think I can do it myself. I ordered rebuild kits from 3rd Gen. I took one of the carburetors apart yesterday. I found a bit of what looks like fine sand in the bottom. I plan to clean it today.
As soon as the kit arrives, I’ll put it back together and then do the same for the other one.
I plan to replace the older carburetors that are on the car now with these 2 carburetors.
Richard

[Ricosan]

Disappointed.
I took all the parts out of the carburetors and cleaned all of the passages that I could see with spray can of carb cleaner. I didn’t remove the jets or the emulsion tube. I didn’t find any “clog” anywhere. Everything looked new. I put them back together with no problems.
I had a hard time getting fuel back up from the fuel tank. Fuel pump wouldn’t pull it up from tank so I had to blow it in by pressuring the gas tank. Got the engine started. Took it for a short drive. Runs like crap. Has no power. I thought it might be looking at another 3 hour wait for the tow truck but I was able to limp back home.
It looks like my attempt to clean the carburetors has only made things worse.
I believe it’s time to bite the bullet and send them to Charlie.
Richard

[corvette8n]

The Strombergs go to max.

[Robert/Texas]

Richard, you won't go wrong if you're talking about sending them to Charlie Schwendler. He rebuilt the carburetor, fuel pump and distributor on my '34 roadster and it now starts and runs like a brand new car. His costs were reasonable and his service was fast. He was also quick in answering any questions I had.

[jimTN]

If you are getting fod in your carbs, its time to remove the tank, clean it and coat it with a good sealer. Also check fuel line connection at tank and tighten it a bit more. If the line has been replaced with new fittings, I have had trouble with new ferral nuts leaking air. I also have put ele fuel pumps near the tank on all my cars. With them its easier to start when setting for a long time, having a vapor lock thing and so on.

[38 coupe]

Originally Posted by Ricosan

Disappointed.
Fuel pump wouldn’t pull it up from tank so I had to blow it in by pressuring the gas tank. Got the engine started. Took it for a short drive. Runs like crap. Has no power.
Richard

I suspect you are looking to repair a carburetor when your fuel pump is not pumping. Fix your fuel delivery problems, then if there is still running issues look at the carburetor. Fuel delivery can be blocked pick up in the tank, clogged fuel line, collapsed hose from fuel line to fuel pump, bad fuel pump, or possibly something else.

[Ricosan]

Hey Guys,
I’m so tempted to try to get these carburetors working well myself but then I think about sitting on the side of the road for hours. So I’m sending these carburetors away to have professionally cleaned and set up for my engine. I’m sending the fuel for a tuneup as well. At least I can eliminate those two parts of the system as being the problem.
I was able to push enough fuel from the tank, with air hose, to fill the sediment bowl so I don’t suspect a block in the line.
The fuel tank is new but I don’t rule out trash in the fuel tank. I have a filter inside the sediment bowl.
These two carburetors were suspect even before I cleaned them but being a genuine Stromberg, and new, it’s worth getting them professionally cleaned and roadworthy. Just for the peace of mind alone!
Note: these carburetors had about 150 miles on them before they quit working and before gas filter was installed in the system.
I’ll post a follow up as soon as I get the carburetors back.
Richard

[Terry,OH]

Consider replaceing the flexible fuel line going into the fuel pump. Max Musgrove is the man to rebuild Strombergs. Max is the Stromberg Technician. He also can supply any of the original Stromberg parts at a discount pllus a wrench to remove the main jets. If you did not remove the main jets and pull the emulsion tubes You can not clean the Carb properly.

[Ricosan]

Hey Terry,
It’s a new flex line. I dealt with a lot of starting issues when I bought the car last year, even replaced the fuel line with a copper coated steel line.
Richard