Joel

Hi, has anyone done any dyno testing or drag strip testing on the 1966 tripower intake on a 400-455 versus an Edelbrock performer or any other intake?

Right now I have a Edelbrock performer and an 800 CFM Holly spread board on the very mildly built 455 in my '67 442. I'm thinking of putting a tripower off of a 66 onto it because I like multiple carburetors. I don't want to hurt performance though.

Thanks, Joel

SY2455

Years ago I had a 65 442 with a 455 .030 over bored with an JM 22-25-10 cam. Originally it was built with the tripower installed, later I installed one of the old style torker intake with a Quadajet carburetor. I never did any dyno time with it. However I can say that driving the car was fantastic with the tripower with the 3 different options that you had with the carburetor setups.

The reason why I changed was the center carburetor was just worn out. Driving with the torker was okay but no where near as exciting as the tripower. Not to mention the comments that you received at car get together. It's surprising how few still don't know that Oldsmobile had a tripower in the 60's.

cutlassefi

You're comparing a dual plane to a single plane as well. And did you check for correct jetting on the Qjet? Apples and oranges.

Rallye469

I imagine if you were good at tuning that tri carb set up you would loose any power…
but I doubt you would ever gain much from it.

Still, you cannot beat the cool factor!

SY2455

Very true about comparing, however at the time I had both intakes and only had a limited amount of time to swap them out due to work. For the jetting we had to increase by 2 sizes. As I said the only reason I changed it out was because the center carburetor was totally worn out. I still have both intakes however not on any engines at the moment.

As has been said already, the tripower was totally the WOW Factor when people see it on an Oldsmobile. The option of having different controlling rates for the end carburecarburetors was incredible and the way that the engine would respond is something that I will remember forever.

66-3X2 442

The base is about the only thing that will wear out. I have new complete repro bases/parts for the 66 tri carbs.

SY2455

That is exactly what went baw. Back in 1986 is when I was forced to swap the intakes out. There was nothing available then. When I retrieve the intake from California I will hit you up.

BangScreech4-4-2

Wouldn't it have been cheaper and simpler to rebuild the 2GC or just get a new one?

OLDSter Ralph

There is nothing like the sound when the end two barrels open up with un-silenced air cleaners.

66-3X2 442

Yes,66 tri carbs are growing on trees.

BangScreech4-4-2

Okay, educate me ... how does the center 2GC on a 3X2 unit differ from a garden-variety 2GC?

66-3X2 442

There are just different. Linkage connection, choke mechanism etc.

Joel

Thanks for all of the helpful replies! Sounds like I can put it on there and at least not lose any ground, and have lots of fun.
What wears out on the carburetor bases? Is it the throttle shaft bores? Years back I remember a local carburetor shop with bush them.

66-3X2 442

They normally don't wear that bad but as with anything it can wear. Tell me what was worn out on your carb.

BangScreech4-4-2

So it's a whole other design ... got it, thanks!

Noodles66442

Tri carbs all the way. My set up isn’t perfect but starts right up and idles every time. Confusing to many people when they see it too. My 400 with a 70 w30 stick cam 3:73s m22w and 3900lbs of steel went 12.92.

Joel

That is a very impressive ET for that combination! Glad to hear that the tripower is getting the job done.

android 211

Many years ago Pontiac Enthusiuast magazine swapped a Tripower onto a 428 powered 68 GTO to compare it to the Rochester 4bbl and Pontiac cast iron intake (which is supposed to be very good, nearly as good as the Edlebrock RPM). They picked up 2 tenths with the Tripower over the Rochester which translated into 22 hp.
Remember: Pontiacs have Tripower. Oldsmobiles have Tricarb.

chadman

If you want the look go with the tri-power. If you want performance go with the Performer.

SY2455

On mine it was the carburetor base plate, idle screw threads in the carburetor base plate were worn out, the throttleshaft had grooves in it and the bore in the carburetor base plate for the throttleshaft was oval and out of round. At the time that I had it on the car, nobody was repairing them. I kept it figuring that someone in the future would start making or repairing them.

66-3X2 442

You got a worn out carb don't you? That thing must have a ton of use on it. Let me know if I can be of any help with parts for it.