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? 

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

JDC

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.

56 Vic, B'Ville 200 MPH Club Member, So Cal.

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.

Durham Missouri

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.

Durham Missouri

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.

Butch Lawson

Manchester,  TN

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.

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.

56 Vic, B'Ville 200 MPH Club Member, So Cal.

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.

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

miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ