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By Melly - 7 Years Ago
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Have been reading a lot about the 3x2 setup on y blocks. So i am looking for some first hand info on doing this. I believe I have a stock 272 with a 2 bl carb, and stock dist. Would this be something I could do and what should I be looking for to make this happen. Have seen many different intakes to chose from. Understand they all have different ports. Also wondering on the dist needed? And linkage setup. What other issues might I need to cover?
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By Joe-JDC - 7 Years Ago
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Offenhauser and an Edelbrock 573 among others. The linkage sets are available from Summit as are the triple Stromberg 97 carbs, but they are set up for SBC, so the linkage arm needs to be shortened 1" and if you buy the fuel lines and block, the end carbs' fuel lines need to be cut and shortened to fit the Y Block carb spacing. Ford 94 carbs are available from Speedway. Carbs, linkage kits, fuel blocks are available from Summit, or Speedway, and cost between $1299.00-1750.00 with linkages, etc. The manifolds are available used from about $250-$550.00 depending condition. You may need a fuel pressure regulator, since the Strombergs require 2.5 psi for operating without damaging the needles and seats. Not to dissuade you, but a new Mummert aluminum intake or Blue Thunder intake and Summit carb will outperform either set-up, and save you about a thousand dollars. Joe-JDC
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By DryLakesRacer - 7 Years Ago
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It's all done for the "cool" factor. If you use your stock carb as the center your stock Loadmatic distributor will work as designed.
If it were me I would not get an Offenhauser at all. Ted and others have done tests and it is terrible, Edel's are the best but there are others too.
If you collect all the parts make them work on your bench first. Next install the intake and center carb and make block off plates for the outers and go drive it making use it runs fine. Then the outers, fuel lines, and remaining linkage. Trust me this will really help if there are problems.
Enjoy them.....good luck.
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By 62bigwindow - 7 Years Ago
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Once you get an intake contact Charlie Price at Vintage Speed. Also find 3 good 94 cores for rebuild. Alot cheaper than buying new ones. That is if you do most of the work yourself.
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By 62bigwindow - 7 Years Ago
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Pne last tthought. Ted has a interesting article on his site where he tested various 3x2 intakes. The Y Block Guy has a good description of 3x2 intakes on his site also.
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By Butch Lawson - 7 Years Ago
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Several years ago, Ted did a very good article showing procedures for disabling the idle circuits and blocking off the power valves on the end carburetors, making them basically "dumpers". I've searched, but couldn't find it. If it could be found, it is a very good read. He has a tech article on his website outlining how to convert the center carburetor to provide a vacuum advance for a later distributor.
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By slumlord444 - 7 Years Ago
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Performance wise a '57 manifold and 500-600 cfm single 4 barrel would probably run better and me more drivable. The three duces will probably be fine if you take the time to set them up right and fine tune them. Sure look neat when you open the hood. I have been running an E dual quad setup on my '57 Bird since '66 and it runs great and has that wow value when you open the hood. That being said, a large single 4 barrel on a Mummert intake would actually run a little better and be more driveable but it sure wouldn't look as impressive. If you want the 3 duces go for it.
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By DryLakesRacer - 7 Years Ago
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slum.. Its why I run dual quads too. Been 4 yrs+ and I set them with a unisyn and I've never touched them since. Melly you will need a Unisyn if you idle off all three but you can off just the center also but the butterfly's will be closed and after a time my stick a little. I ran 3-2's on the street for a time on an off brand engine and you do need to open them up once in a while. A shaking engine will allow fuel past the needles and seats and can cause some minor grief. I always set the outer carbs with a lower float level so if some fuel got by it would not flood and put more pressure on the needle.
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By Melly - 7 Years Ago
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All this info sounds great. But I wonder if my lack of ability to due a lot of this could I place the intake on and just run off the center carb and cap off the others. And make linkage that does not connect to center carb. Would this just be stupid. Would like the to work but do not want to spend a lot of down time getting in over my head. Or maybe I should spend the summer looking and talking to other in my area if I can find them and look for someone that could do show and tell to help.
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By miker - 7 Years Ago
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Back in the late 90’s I bought a 3x2 setup from Charlie Price at Vintage Speed. Complete, ready to go, all the carbs run on his test mule. Took a little tweaking, but not much. In those days the y block intakes were pretty available and he did the whole works. I don’t remember the price, but so long ago it’s moot. But go take a look at his site and the pricing, it’ll give you a ballpark of what you’re looking at, and then you’ll have to add in the tuning.
All the advice above is good and accurate, most of it from guys who really know. If you’re not comfortable doing tuning on a single four barrel, or even a rebuild and tune on a stock two barrel, you’re going to spend quite a bit of money finding some one to do it for you. I’m not trying to discourage you, just pointing out the reality of it. I’ve owned my Unison since the mid 1960’s and used it on many vehicles over the years. Multiple carbs take careful thought and patience, one change never two at a time, and write everything down. Modern OX2 gauges help, but that’s more expense and they have their own learning curve.
Good luck and enjoy your ride.
http://vintagespeed.com
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By pintoplumber - 7 Years Ago
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I’ve been running this since 2003. If you look closely, I have 3 ball valves to shut off the gas. The 1st year I ran on just the center carb. You can leave the linkage loose so the outer carb butterflys don’t open. You need a ‘57 or newer distributor if you’re using all 3 carbs. This is a 239 that been bored and stroked.
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By Shaggy - 7 Years Ago
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Jeeze, are you guys trying to scare him? Get a couple hundred dollar swap meet intake and the first three kinda matching $20 holley 94's you see. Throw some rebuild kits in them and give it a whirl. Probably best to go progressive linkage with shut off idle circuits on the outer 2 carbs, unless you want to go straight linkage like most of the 1950's builds were. Play around, learn to read plugs and see if you can get it to run the way you want it. The worst thing that can happen is you pull it back off and use it as a shelf ornament.
On and anouther thought, screw buying 3 holley 94's, you might have a 94 style carb on it already(94 stands for the .94 venturi, they made them from .92" thru 1.1875") throw that one on the center since it probably works, then you just need to figure out the secondary outer carbs. Heck with progressive linkage you can adjust it so the other carbs never even get actuated.
I'd be doing the same since i have an intake with a trio of 97's but i also have the 1957 holley intake and a proper 1957 t-bird holley so i think that is my plan
Oh and these guys arent joking about running a regulator BTW
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By 62bigwindow - 7 Years Ago
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Not trying to be a smart ass but, I'd love to find the $20 94's and couple hundred intake. That may have been true a few years ago but not so much now. You'll get what you pay for. Take the time to get the best quality parts and you will have less trouble. Miker's and others advice is sound. There also is a guy on eBay that sells complete set ups. How name is Ron Kellogg if I remember correctly. There usually decently priced.
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By Shaggy - 7 Years Ago
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62bigwindow (3/6/2018)
Not trying to be a smart ass but, I'd love to find the $20 94's and couple hundred intake. That may have been true a few years ago but not so much now. You'll get what you pay for. Take the time to get the best quality parts and you will have less trouble. Miker's and others advice is sound. There also is a guy on eBay that sells complete set ups. How name is Ron Kellogg if I remember correctly. There usually decently priced.
The carbs are still plentiful out here at swap meets(the Seattle area). Intakes are getting more expensive. I occasionally pick up really nice 94's around that price, but i only buy pre 8ba ones since they dont have the ugly vacumn port, typically i pass them up since i have a ton though. As for intakes, they are drying up. y-block intakes were pretty common 10 or so years ago, but i do see them from time to time. The one on my shelf i picked up 8 or so years back for $350 with 3 big logo 97's.
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By Melly - 7 Years Ago
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So i read the article on to three duce intakes, which vas very good. It and other sources all make reference to the offy intake to be poor choice. Is this from a performance perspective only or are they just not good to use for other reason. if so what are they?
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By PF Arcand - 7 Years Ago
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Unfortunately, the Offy 3 carb Y-block intake has been the "bane" of our favorite engine, going back to a published project in Popular Hot Rodding in 1971!
And despite it's last place finish in a field of seven intakes, stats that were published few years ago on this site & in Y-Block Magazine, courtesy of our Moderator Ted, it's happend again in a Mar, 2018 issue of Hot Rod!. When Ted tested the Offy, the performance was noticebly inferior even to the 6th place intake. So, since it's interior design is so poor, it likely isn't great on fuel mileage either.
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By Joe-JDC - 7 Years Ago
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Melly (3/7/2018)
So i read the article on to three duce intakes, which vas very good. It and other sources all make reference to the offy intake to be poor choice. Is this from a performance perspective only or are they just not good to use for other reason. if so what are they?
I am in the process of trying to get a dyno session with Ted Eaton again with the Offenhauser intake in stock and ported configurations to see where the issues are with the intake. I have a SF-600 Flow Bench, and have been porting heads and intakes since 1972. I have flow sheets on every intake I port, every head I port before, and after to see just how much change was accomplished. I was amazed when I looked into the Offenhauser plenum areas, and have taken pictures for a write-up, before and after I finish porting the intake. I also have a stock Edelbrock 573, and ported 573 for comparison. I have a set of the Ford 94s, and a new set of the Strombert 97 Big Bore carbs to use for testing. Hopefully this will answer many questions when completed. Joe-JDC
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By pintoplumber - 7 Years Ago
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If you’re running a single 3 bolt 2 barrel carb, then an Offenhauser 3x2 intake will give you more performance. Just not as good as the other intakes. If you’re doing it mostly for looks, go for it. If you’re not changing your cam, I don’t know how much performance you can expect.
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By Florida_Phil - 7 Years Ago
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I ran one of these setups back in the day. I believe my manifold was an Edelbrock. I connected up all three carbs. As I recall tuning wasn't that difficult. I drag raced this car and I will tell you the car ran faster with one 4 barrel Holley 4100. Looks cool though.
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By Tim Quinn - 7 Years Ago
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You are absolutely correct about a 500 cfm carb. Better performance and less problems.
Been there, Done that.
Summit has excellent 500 cfm under their brand and it is great carb for the price.
Tim in Florida
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By Tim Quinn - 7 Years Ago
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$20 carbs at a flea market !!!!
He must think it is 1962 again !!
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By Melly - 7 Years Ago
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So I am starting to think this might be interesting to try doing. Now what would be a fair price range to by this setup? I see online prices ranging from $350.00 to ones claiming ready to install $1500.00 . The lesser price being in need of clean up and carb kits ++. What should I be looking for when searching for one? And what question should be asked? As most likely will no be a hands on look, i am in Minnesota and still snow bound for awhile.
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By PF Arcand - 7 Years Ago
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Of course the 1st question is make of manifold? For instance, Edmond's made three intakes for the Ford, one I think it was the 424 & it wasn't great either, but you'd need to link from here to Eaton's site to confirm that. And have the carbs been set up for a Tri- Power intake etc? Does it include progressive linkage etc.?
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By Florida_Phil - 7 Years Ago
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These parts are readily available. It's not 1962, so they can be expensive. The problem with old speed parts is condition. By now most of them have been on dozens of cars with "who knows who" wrenching them. Don't buy anything unless you can inspect it. Look for manifold cracks, stripped threads, corrosion and make sure the manifold has not been milled excessively. Carbs are another matter. The carbs on the manifold in my photo were scavenged out of old parts bins and needed rebuilding. By now, most of these carbs are worn out if you can find any. If I wanted the least amount of trouble, I would buy new carbs. Linkage needs to be high quality or you will spend the rest of your life messing with it. All in all, I would expect to pay $1,500 to $2,000 for a nice tri-power setup these days. You may get away cheaper if you get lucky. The WOW factor when you open the hood on cruise night may be worth the investment.
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By 62bigwindow - 7 Years Ago
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You'll have almost as much in it if you buy bits and pieces or a ready to run unit. On 94's check where the body and base mate together. They are prone to warping there. Not impossible to fix but something to watch for. Vintage Speed has a real nice base conversion and linkage kit. I'm currently looking for a intake myself so if I find a good deal I'll pass it along.
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By Florida_Phil - 7 Years Ago
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When I was young (a very long time ago), I remember a guy who lived down the street from my parent's house. He had a gold 1956 Ford Victoria with a hot rod Y Block. His engine had six carbs and I thought it was the coolest thing I had ever seen. I can't get that car out of my mind. How cool would it be to open the hood and see all those carbs lined up? I'm sure it would be a bear to work on, but seriously cool nevertheless.
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By Riz - 7 Years Ago
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I’ve heard for years how horrible the Offy 3x2 manifold is, and it is for HP. However, I picked one up fairly cheap (maybe the guy heard how horrible it was)
It is adequate, I wasn’t after a speed demon. Just wanted to build an old school hot rod.
I agree you shouldn’t be scared off, however getting 70 year old carbs that weren’t meant for today’s crap fuel brings its own challenges.
I don’t think I would be scared off from any manifold. It comes down to bang for the buck. I’ve seen guys trying to sell Edelbrock or Fenton’s for stupid amounts of money that were cracked and crappy welded, broken ears or tapped and plugged all over because they thought they were minted from gold.
There is a lot of good advice (blocking idle circuits, power valves, etc that will make them more street friendly I would heed those recommendations.
If you’re after speed and HP you’re going to have to spend up, the Offy will be better than what you have, but down on power and more temperamental than an off the shelf modern 4 bbl.
Just go into it with eyes open for what you are getting or wanting.
Happy wrenching.
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By hdshadpar - 7 Years Ago
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I have a complete 3x2 Offy setup that Charlie Price did for me. If your interested let me know.
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