Okay all you tri-power buffs, I need help here. I am going to make a presentation to a local club about Corvette tri-power and I want to have an intro with the history of tri-power. I tried searching the 'net and it proved tedious and unfulfilling. So, this is basically what I have so far. What I am looking for are corrections, additions, etc. The list I am trying to compile should represent the factory available tri-power setups from domestic automakers, including the years they were available, engines they were on, the horsepower, and maybe a name too. So here goes and a BIG thanks to all that help Joe 1957-58 Olds J-2 Golden Rocket, 371ci, 312hp 1958-61 Chev Super Turbo Thrust, 348ci, 280-335-350hp ??????? Ford ????????????????? , 406ci, ?????????????? 1964-66 Pontiac ????????? , 389ci, 348-360hp 1967-69 Chev/Corvette Turbo Jet, 427ci, 400-435hp 1969-71 Dodge/Plymouth Six Pack/6 Barrel, 440ci, 385-390hp 1970-? Dodge/Plymouth Six Pack/6 Barrel, 340ci, 290hp
Cadillac had a 3 x 2 in the late 50's. 58 - 60? on a 365? Also 53 - 55 Corvettes with 235's had a 3 x 1, not sure if it was called tri-power, though.
Yeah, I never knew about the Caddy tri-power. Even though I know about the vette 3x1 I also don't know whether anyone would consider that to be tri-power. I wonder what carbs were on the Caddy setup?
Interesting how the carb usage among the automakers was split among Rochesters and Holleys. From my personal experience I would have to think that the Rochesters are less trouble.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=318489&highlight=multi have a look in here, more than you want but i bet all that you need too good luck
Where you wish to start may be arbitrary, based on how you define tripower. If the definition is 3 carbs per engine, then possibly the first would be 3 Holley two-barrel models DD's on a Winton marine 500 HP engine in 1931. If the definition is automotive only, then possibly the first would be the 1953 Corvette with 3 Carter YH single barrel carbs. If the definition is narrowed to 3 two-barrels on an automotive engine, then the 1957 Oldsmobile J-2 would be the first, as it was announced prior to the 1957 Pontiac. The 1957, 1958 Olds; 1957, 1958 Pontiac; 1958-1961 Chevrolet; and 1958 Cadillac all used 3 small base Rochester carbs. The 1959-1965 Pontiac and 1959-61 Cadillac used the small base Rochester in the center, and 2 large base Rochester on the ends. The 1966 Pontiac and 1966 Oldsmobile used 3 large based Rochester. Ford products (Ford, Mercury, Lincoln) used Holleys; as did Chrysler and the later Chevrolet Corvettes. The Winton and the early Corvette used solid linkage. The later units used progressive linkage. While not part of the specific question; multiple carburetors go back much further, at least into the teens. These were normally 2 single barrel units. These included applications for passenger, truck, marine, and even farm tractors. If this is to be a written presentation, why not post it here as well. I for one would enjoy reading your presentation. Jon.
I can't give any details but I'm pretty sure Mercury offered a very rare 3 deuce set up for the 368 engine in 57 or 58. I saw one a few years ago.
Ford had a tri-power as a dealer installed option in 1961 for 390ci engines making them 401hp, also available from the factory on early '62s (390/401 hp.) 1962 & 63 tri-power 406 Fords were rated 405 hp. 1962 & 63 390 Thunderbirds had a tri-power option rated at 320 hp as I recall. I'm just not positive on the hp rating , might have been 330hp.
Wow, lotsa good info here since I crashed last night. Thanks to all for the help. I keep learning more and more about the tri-power setups. For the record, since I will be speaking about the 67-69 Corvette tri power I was going to stick to 3x2 setups for history but hey, might as well include the earliest vette setup as well since it is Corvette. CarbKing, you seem to have a vast array of info, you mind if I PM you for more? Bob37, thanks for more specific info on the Ford setups. I was trying to find years and hp numbers.
Ford used tri-powers or what they marketed as"6V" (meaning 6 venturi) dealer installed only on 61 390 Hi-Po engines .It was strictly over the parts counter in 1961.I have never heard of a factory installed unit that year.In 1962 and early 1963 the tri-power,or 6V was was factory installed on the "G" Code 406 engine.In mid year 1963 when the 406 gave way to the 427 they went to the 2 four barrel induction system.There was also a 390 Hi-Po in 1962 which the 6v was factory installed on.
Just a little side note.......On the T-Bird intake manifold, the hight of the carberators where the same for hood clearance, the others where taller in the rear.
I know what you mean about the T-Bird manifolds. A friend installed one on his '64 390 years ago and the carbs were on a backward tilt. The Galaxies engines were installed with a downward tilt towards the rear and the T-Bird engines were almost parallel to the ground.
There was a 3x2 Super Marauder option for the 430 MEL's also. I'm not sure what year it was offered (58/59?) but I believe it used the Holley carbs. I have an intake w/o carbs and it has the Holley/Ford base.
1958 Mercury Super Marauder and it could be found on Lincolns as well since it was a lincoln motor it went on. Used Holley 2300 carbs, vac secondaries and word of mouth has it at less than or around 800 units ever produced and was only produced for 1 month then stopped???!!! Also it may be the rarest tri power out there next to the 2,000 some Olds had in 1966 on the 442s.
'62-'63 T-birds with "M"-series Tri-Power were rated at 340 hp. Option introduced early winter '61-'62 and lasted through January '63. Blue-hairs and businessmen that bought it complained of low mileage, engine fires and constant need to tune - many dealers swapped them out for the standard 4v setups while under warranty. Lower HP rating than the Galaxie version in part because of 2" vs 1-3/4" dia. dual exhaust, hydraulic lifters, beefed-up automatic transmission and vacuum pull-offs for power brakes, transmission modulator, the log-style exhaust manifolds instead of the cast-iron headers with longer runners, heads with 406-sized valves, and all the friggin' vacuum motors to work the heater/AC doors and such. Several other differences from the stairstep Galaxie include a PCV system, dashpot/bracket, and it came standard with the dress-up air cleaner and plated valve covers to ID it. I'm looking for a set of C2SE-6090-A cylinder heads for mine.
According to the info I got back from Holley...last summer.... "These were listed for '62-'63..MAYBE...1964 or 1965 Comet, Fairlane, and Falcon, small block 260ci and 289ci V-8 engines. Buddy Barr cast the intake for Ford. Holley supplied the carbs only...2300-G carb's. made for tri power ONLY." MY carb info... The center carb is list #2867 is rated @ 200 cfm and dated 391. Build Date; 1963, Sept.-1st week The outer carb's are list #2868 are both rated @ 265cfm EACH dated 392. Build Date; 1963,Sept.-2nd week TOTAL cfm = 730 This is the info on MY stuff.....FWIW..... I realize I'm a little late for this thread....but I just found it....... L8TR..... -
If it will help here is a '56 Ford factory tri-power on a 312 hi-po engine and also a 62 Ford FE 406 with three twos from the factory. I saw a '56 Pontiac 316 with three twos also in a factory setup and another with dual quads. Both were at the Pontiac booth at the Chicago Car Show in 1956. Normbc9
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