I may have a line on a factory 3-2 Caddy V8 to put in the coupe, but I'd like to research 'em a little to know what I'm looking at/for. I know they've kind of generically adopted "Tri Power" for any 3 deuce set up, but what was Caddy's actually called? I've found a few websites that refer to it as a "Six Pack", but I thought that was a Mopar specific term... Anyway, with what I've found so far, they were only available in '58-'60, in 365 or 390 ci. And, while thay don't make NEARLY as much power as ANY of my belly****on SBC's, it should still get my bare bones 5 window down the road alright, with a much higher "cool" factor than the SBC.... I appreciate any info you can give me guys! Thanks! Steve
I found this on the web: "Under the hood the Biarritz owner got what Cadillac called its "Q" engine, a triple two-barrel carburetor version of the base 390 cubic-inch engine, which put out 345 horsepower and 435 lbft of torque."
First Kirk has a Caddy mill....now you? Kirk's is a single four but he wants a triple-carb set-up BAD.
There's a couple of them on Ebay! And, I don't have it YET... I'm trying to put together the logistics of transporting it, since it's still in the '58 caddy!
it's all relative to the year of manufacture that 59 cad motor in a hot rod would kick *** on a 59 chev with the 315 horse 348 truck motor in the same rod. I've got a 55 331 cad with 58 heads and tri-power manifold in my 54 GMC and its fun and runs strong!
I drove a 57 Coupe de Ville back when with the 300 horse 365. One of the best sounding cars I've ever owned, and would easily run over 100, even tipping the scales at 5,000 lbs. I found several other sources (including the American V-8 Engine Data Book) that simply called the 3X2 setup on the Cadillacs "Tri-Power." It was available on the 365 in '58, and the 390 in '59-'60.
I've looked through all of the Cadillac sales brouchures and information that I have; the set-up is repeatedly referred to as "three, dual-barrel carburators". That makes sense for Cadillac to have used their own fancy term from a marketing standpoint as they were marketing premium world-cl*** luxury cars......not hot rods. By staying away from the hot rod slang terms of the time, they were able to differentiate themselves from other manufacturers with factory multi-carb set-ups and therefore make their marketing case credible. As near as I have been able to piece together, Cadillac first offered multi-carb set-ups in 1955. That was the year that the 331ci engine jumped up in compression from around 8.2:1 to 9.1:1. The multi carb set-up in 1955 was a dual four-barrel set-up, it came standard on the new Eldorado model and was offered as an option on the other models. I've talked to a coupe old hot rod guys who tried adapting "back in the day" this dual quad set-up onto their stock single four barrel Caddy mills. The outcome was dissappointing for them. The engine sounded better when the throttle was nailed, but there wasn't any big difference in power. But there was a big drop in gas consumption, and that was noticed back in the day when ordinarily no one would have really given a damn. The original 331ci engine was then pushed to 365ci in 1956, and then pushed to 390 in 1959. Some sources say that the stock 1958 Cadillac engine was slightly detuned, Howerver, the 1958 model year with the 365ci engine was the first year the "three, dual-carburator" set-up was offered; standard on the Eldorados and an option on all of the other models. Cl*** Dismissed
OOPPSSSsssss!!! Teacher needs more coffee!! That was an error and has been edited. Now, how the hell do I get the red magic marker from my editing off of my computer screen????
the three carb setup was typically referred to as simply that... a triple carb model. They usually run from around a grand to well over 3 grand for a complete setup including carbs, air cleaner, filter, linkages, etc. Most folks who had them originally replaced them with a single 4 barrel, for ease of use, and pitched the three carb setups in the dumpster. That's why they are so darn hard to find nowadays. There are a few companies looking to possibly produce them again, but prices are NUTS, so it hasn't happened yet, plus the desire for them is so small, as 390's are not exactly a dime a dozen like your white bread 350's. They are heavy, strong, and low RPM powerhouses. Rev em up, and they blow things apart. But keep it lower, and put a lower geared rear end.. and hang on, cuz these ****ers LOVE to make torque. But don't plan on yankin the front wheels up, cuz a 900lb block is pretty heavy. They are awfully pretty, and durable engines. I just wish mine ran better I'm currently lookin for a few myself. Peace Chris
Greetings.... Your answers are kind of right... Cadillac never actually had a name for it... The dual quad Eldorado 331s had special gold paint. It was a special Eldorado engine, but when it became optional in the other lines it never really got a name. The "Q-Code" engine is about as close to a name as they got. Cadillac people refer to them as Q-Code cars if they have the factory dual quad or tri-power setup. It is funny, but you usually can't tell a Q code car unless you get the build sheet. On the build sheet it will list "Q" as an option, which is the Eldorado type engine. Hyfire
My books say also this same; the set-up is repeatedly referred to as three two-barrel carburators. Off topic, (name of tri-power set-up was original question, wasn't it?) but originally progressively working mechanism on these GM tri-powers was built with vacuum, not with mechanic linkage as today. (Therefore secondary carbs are totally closed or totally open.) But I quess you already knew this, Mr. HRTH? And if you didn't it's nice to know it now, ain't it? Haha...
What carb was used by Cadillac in their tri-power or 6-pack setup (whatever it was called)? Were the carbs for the factory Caddy tri-power something greneric like the Rochester 2GC, or will only the Caddy carbs fit that intake?
IVE GOT A FACTORY CAST IRON 3 2s INTAKE I PUT ON TOP OF A 49 CAD MOTOR IM SETTIN UP FOR MY COUPE .....
I like to call them FREAKIN EXPENSIVE. That said, if anyone knows where I can find one cheap, PM me, and I will start calling them Tri-Power again
DHD, The one I found was on a running engine in a running 54 GMC and you're right they are expensive I had to pay $340.00 for the truck just because I wanted the manifold. now I'm buried $830.00 in a truck that isn't even on the road yet. is there no end to this madness?
Hey, I feel for you, tell you what, I"ll help you recoup some of you loss by giving you 100 for the intake setup seriously though, I hate you for finding that truck
see those eldo's oil fill point right instead of left to clear the front carb. I can run a electric fuel pump and do away with the cast part and just add a filler tube and return line for the oil filter Hey HRTH can you post the other side I'd like to check the stock linkage and all the stupid vac***e stuff
As Chris said a lot of them got pitched much like the rochester injection from a chebby. They just weren't simple and straight forward like a single 4bbl. if you can learn to properly tweak one you can make it work real well, but there is quit a learning curve to make a multi carb setup work, its easier to make the zot with a single 4. but that said i recall them being called 3 2bbls or triple carbs myself. of course i dont recall ever being in a caddy dealership in that tiem frame and wasn't reading a lot of new car adz back then.
Here's the best (really bad) shot I got of that side... If you can't see what you're looking for here, I'll get you a nice clear pic in the next day or so... And to the rest of you, thanks a ton for all of the info! Steve
The Jalopy Journal
