Best choke for downdraft carb?
 

I'm planning an upgrade to the Stromberg 97 carb on one of my cars. I'm trying to organize the parts list. The consensus seems to be that a choke is sometimes needed. Snyder's sells a cable choke, for which I would need to get a 97 with the cable choke bracket. But I wondered if the stock choke could be adapted, or if a third option is workable. I'd prefer not to punch more holes in the firewall if I don't have to.

Re: Best choke for downdraft carb?
 

If the requirement is to not punch a hole in the firewall (or run it through the floorboard) you might consider one of the automatic chokes that Ford used in the fifties. Sorry I don't have enough information to be more specific.

Charlie Stephens

Re: Best choke for downdraft carb?
 

On one of your cars...as in a Model-A?

Re: Best choke for downdraft carb?
 

Yes, sorry, I temporarily have two Model As and it’s gone to my head.

Re: Best choke for downdraft carb?
 

A new hole in the floorboard would be fine. What type of choke would I use for that?

Re: Best choke for downdraft carb?
 

On my dual downdraft set-up, I ran a metal rod with a small diameter through the GAV rod holes. Once the Zenith is gone, no need for the GAV rod.



Frank

Re: Best choke for downdraft carb?
 

Yes, you'll need a choke. I've never seen a 97 without a choke. It can be manual or coil spring heat coil addition, your choice.

Re: Best choke for downdraft carb?
 

Best choke? Both hands, from the rear. That'd be the "best".

Re: Best choke for downdraft carb?
 

I assume you could use the cable.

Charlie Stephens

Re: Best choke for downdraft carb?
 

My Weber has a choke operated by a cable. The knob end is mounted where the GAV/choke rod knob would normally be and the cable goes through the hole in the firewall where the rod would normally go. It is quite natural for me to reach for the cable end to choke the engine when cold as that is where I used to grab the rod to choke the Zenith. The Weber has offset choke plates with a spring connection so that once the engine starts the choke opens up a bit so that the engine does not flood. It still runs rough until I push in the choke, slowly as it warms up.

Re: Best choke for downdraft carb?
 

I don't believe I have ever seen a Stromberg 97 that had anything but a cable.I guess I don't understand what you are asking.

Re: Best choke for downdraft carb?
 

The company that's making "new" Strombergs has a specific cable choke model, so it seemed like the other models must use a different setup – but I didn't know what it was.

There have been a few Barners who didn't use cables:

• This guy
• This guy

Running a cable through the GAV port is totally fine with me, I just wanted to check whether there was a preferred method I hadn't heard about.

Re: Best choke for downdraft carb?
 

I used the same choke cable assembly as they sell for the Webers. Used an existing hole in the firewall.

Re: Best choke for downdraft carb?
 

I think CarlG is using the hole for the vacuum line for the wipers. That saves drilling a hole, as long as you don't have vacuum wipers.

Re: Best choke for downdraft carb?
 

How's the heat transfer on that setup? Any icing or overheating issues?

Re: Best choke for downdraft carb?
 

I don't have a problem either way. I did add the 1/4" phonelic (sp) riser that Stromberg makes between the manifold and carb.

Re: Best choke for downdraft carb?
 

I used this and mounted it on the original choke rod mount on gas tank and ran cable thru the original choke rod hole, then attached to a Charlie Price choke bracket

Re: Best choke for downdraft carb?
 

Ruth, All Fords that originally had 97's used a solid rod directly thru the firewall. I run a speedster with 3 Stromberg's but only choke the center carb. I took an original rod, cut off near the carb, drilled a hole length-wise in the rod, brazed a 8-32 nut on the side that clamped the cable to that fitting. In the speedster it is a straight line from the "knob" to the carb, I just use a length of brazing rod, not an actual cable. Works fine!

Re: Best choke for downdraft carb?
 

My build goal is to imitate a Model A that might have existed in 1936, where the owner has been tweaking it with aftermarket parts and parts from later Fords. A generator, cable choke and distributor from a Model B, the carb from a Model 48 or 78, a Winfield head, etc. So I think the cable approach will be fine.

Re: Best choke for downdraft carb?
 

Thanks Jim. I worded my response incorrectly. I meant in a non-stock installation. Like I mentioned I didn't understand.

Probably would have been better if I didn't respond at all. :p:p