The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Stromberg carburetors

There is much increased interest in the use of Stromberg carburetors. While these are some of the best carburetors one can use on a stovebolt, I have never really recommended their use as they were quite a bit more expensive than the more common Carter YF's.

We still suggest the YF, unless you are "blessed" with ethanol in your area. If so, the Stromberg is much more trouble-free as the Stromberg uses a conventional accelerator pump rather than a diaphragm pump. Diaphragm pumps, on vehicles which both use ethanol and are driven infrequently, may give problems.

I took the original Stromberg internal documents, and have listed on this link all carburetors that Stromberg made specifically for Chevrolet:
Stromberg carburetors for Chevrolet

I am "computer challanged" when attempting to place a table on this website. If one of you computer whizzes would place this table on this site, I could then remove it from my site.

Also, G.M.C. applications may be found at:

G.M.C. carburetor applications

The G.M.C. listing will remain on my site, and this URL will be good, no need to copy this one.

To identify Stromberg carburetors:
Stromberg carburetor identification

Jon.

I totally agree with you, but I don't think that the Strombergs are very hard to find. I see them on e-bay about every week.

They came in a bunch of different sizes and a bunch more different jetting sizes, but the good news is that if you can match up the venturi sizes, then it is not to hard to match a pair of them together. You can even match the BXOV-2, BXOV-25, and the BXOV-26 all with each other. Rebuild kits can be bought at 40 some bucks each and there are new main jets still available.

You will find the most difference with BXOV's that were made for Chevy, Ford, Buick, and so on is only in the jetting and the linkage hookup.
So it is actually not very hard to match one that was made for a Chevy with one that was made for a Ford and put them together as a 2x1 setup.

I think a pair of the old Stromgerg BXOV's are the BEST carburetor for any old, street driven, daily driven, straight six.

But then, that's just my opinon.

You can see my collection at,

http://community.webshots.com/user/OldFartEd

OldFartEd

Every one seems to want the 97,s but the 94,s can be had for a lot less and i think they leak a little less.

OLD FART,

Great pictures on your webshots link, and a nice pictorial fix for the Offenhauser manifold. As a kid, I had a 235 with three BXVD's. What is the difference between this and the BXOV's you collect? They were a great carburetor, and the engine was a powerhouse (sort of).

Stuart

Gmckustom - the model 97 was made by Stromberg; the model 94 was a Holley model.

As a general rule, the Holleys are MUCH cheaper than the Strombergs.

The Stromberg 97 has a problem similiar to the Rochester B, in that too few airhorn screws were used, thus causing warpage of the airhorns. Unlike Rochester, Stromberg fixed their problem when they switched from the E series (model 97 was one) to the A series carbs. Like the Rochester B series, the Stromberg 97 castings should be straightened with heat and pressure.

The Holley 94 has a diaphragm style power valve (aka economiser valve) located in the bottom of the bowl, with a direct passage to the intake. If the diaphragm ruptures (fairly common, and MUCH more so with ethanol), the carb has approximately a 1/8 inch direct "jet", causing flooding and fuel in the oil. This is the carburetor that was responsible for the term "bowl leakdown".

The Holley 94 is also larger by 1/4 inch in the front to rear dimension. Many manifolds which were designed for the 97's will not accept the 94's for this reason.

The Holley does have one advantage that the carb will accept current production 4150 series Holley main metering jets, so calibration may be easier.

Opinion - the Stromberg 97 metering circuitry is FAR advanced of the Holley 94; even though the Stromberg was disconinued in 1938, and Holley continued to make the model 94 into the mid-1960's.

The Stromberg EE-1 (the 97 was a model of the EE-1) was designed in 1933 for use on 1934 model cars.

Rumor has it that the Holley 94 was designed by a couple of Stromberg engineers, REJECTED by Stromberg, and then went into production circa 1937 when the two Stromberg engineers left Stromberg and formed their own company (Chandler-Groves). I know for a fact that many of the early Chandler-Groves parts are interchangeable with Stromberg parts of the day. After about the first year of production, the parts changed. I cannot confirm the rumor.

Atomarc -

BXVD

B - series
X - cross flange
V - vacuum power system
D - built-in dashpot

BXOV

B - series
X - cross flange
O - 1/8 inch oversize throttle bore (for S.A.E. size)
V - vacuum power system

Numbers following letters:

First number - S.A.E. flange size
Second number (if present) 5=electric choke, 6=hot air choke

Jon.

Stuart ,
The only difference between your three BXVD's that you had and the BXOV's is yours had a 1/8" smaller throttle bore size. Other than that they are the same carb.
A 235 with a 3x1 setup with BXVD's was probably the better choice for a street daily driver than the BXOV's would have been.
Not only "were", but they still are a great carburetor.