I think I've settled on putting a Y-block back in my '58 SWB pickup but I'd like to give it a little pizzaz when you open the hood. I considered just adding a 4V intake but I think I'd like to go with a 3 duece setup or maybe a 2-4 setup. My question is what do I need to do to make this a good setup for nice driveability and not be over-carbed for a mild build? I want this motor to be long lived and reliable. Thanks for any and all help.

Many of the 3X2 intake manifolds (excluding the Offenhauser) work very well on street applications.  The key is in having three good carbs.  The older Strombergs are reasonably straight forward in setting up and are trouble free as long as the fuel pressure is maintained at 3½ psi or less.  The Holley 94’s or model 2100’s two barrels are also viable but you need at the bare minimum matching end carbs and those same end carbs do like the power valves to be blocked as well as the idle circuits fixed or disabled.  Modifying the center carb for a true ported vacuum signal is also desirable if using the '57 and up distributor.  If you have the dollars, then newer carbs such as the Barry Grants, Edelbrocks, or those sold by Speedway are viable options.

 

My only experience with streetable dual quads on a Y are with the Holley model 4000’s (Teapots) being used on the factory ECG-D 2X4 intake manifold.  This is a very streetable manifold and works very well with small cubic inch Y’s.  There are several dual quad setups running around with 500 cfm Carters or Edelbrock carbs and these are reported to run well on the street also.

 

Here’s are links to recent dyno tests where various intake manifolds were compared to each other.

3X2 intake manifold testing

Single and muti-carb intake manifold testing

 

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)