Ive got two stromberg 97's on my flathead and one keeps sticking every other time I take it out. I rebuilt both carbs, with new needle/seats, and only one does this. I took off the top plate today, and the float itself is not tight at all or sticky in any position, and is set at the right height. How can I stop this ??? Im kind of lost-this is the first set of strombergs ive had. thanks in advance, ROB
Any chance the float is dropping so far down that it's tang is trying to lever the float needle sideways? Somewhat common problem on AFB's. With the AFB's you also have to set float drop, not sure if you do something like that with 97's or not, but it's worth a look.
Another thought . . . I dug through my old manual and took a look at the 48 series (doesn't show 97's) which are comparable and no figure shown for float drop. Any chance the "sticking" float is leaking and has sunk a bit? I'm wondering too about fuel pressure. Usually 3# or so is about right for these. 6-7-8# from an overhead engine's mechanical pum or some electric pumps will overpower the needle allowing the float bowl to overfill.
swap flosts from carb to carb, see if teh problem goes away or switches to the other carb. If it goes away, leave it be, if it switches to the other carb then you know it's definatly a flaot problem, not the needle and seat.
Look at the needle valve; Many current ones have a rubber tip. I tried one of these in a 94, and discovered that it wouldn't drop right there at the bench, and that opening it required a lung-popping amount of pressure to get it to release! I assume an edge on the machined seat was digging into the rubber. It spooked me, so I didn't worry about it any more. I reinstalled the old steel Ford needle, which wasn't grooved, and gave it a couple of hammer taps to make sure the unreachable seat on the inlet has the right damn shape. Tilt the suspect carb with lid off and see if the thing moves.
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