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Tri power carbs on 440 six barrel?

Sonny

It’s all fun til the rabbit gets the gun.
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Will the Chevy tri power 2 barrel carbs fit on a 440 intake? Will the oval air cleaner work? I’m considering assembling a six barrel setup but the tri power is half the cost and I want the mechanical secondaries. Not a numbers matching car, it’s a rr clone, so originality isn’t important to me.
 
The tri power carbs have the fuel inlet on the opposite side and the CFM is 325 center and 350 outboards vs mopar 350 center and 500 outboard. That aside they could be setup to work I’m sure.
 
The tri power carbs have the fuel inlet on the opposite side and the CFM is 325 center and 350 outboards vs mopar 350 center and 500 outboard. That aside they could be setup to work I’m sure.
Thanks. It’s a car show and power tour car so the loss in cfm isn’t a concern for me.
 
Hate to say it but Rochester 2 barrels are better over the long haul than Holleys. I have a few friends with 6 pack set ups and they are always messing with the Holley's. The 389 Pontiac guys just start their cars up and cruise. Mopar didn't want GM carbs. I don't blame them. No other choice other than Holley.
 
IMO...
The origional Chevy (also Pontiac and maybe Olds) tri-power used Rochester carbs. Rochester had 2 designations....similar to Carter....1 1/4" and 11/2" designs. The big 2bbl, was rated at 435 CFM where the smaller carb were used on small block engines, 283, 337, 350, etc. The origional tri-power were vacuum operated and later became mechanical with accelerator pumps on the end carbs. Since the original Mopar 6 barrel used modified Holley, SIMILAR to the. carbs as used on the 400 hp and 435 hp Corvette 427 engines, something from those engines may be what you seek....but...the fuel lines and throttle linkage will have to be fabricated. Since those carbs have different mounting dimensions, it is unlikely that a Mopar air cleaner assembly would fit.
If you want to get a six barrel (or six pack) setup, why not just buy a Mopar set up rather than shoe maker a Rochester system?? The Mopar set up is available from several sources on line. BTW....vacuum secondary operation is superior. But you could adapt a Ford tri-power similar to that used on the old 401 hp/390 or the 405 hp/406 engine or the 425 hp/427 engine, both are mechanical operation.....then you would have something really unusual....the carbs are mounted backward, with the fuel bowls mounted facing rearward. Just my opinion of course.
BOB RENTON
 
Hate to say it but Rochester 2 barrels are better over the long haul than Holleys. I have a few friends with 6 pack set ups and they are always messing with the Holley's. The 389 Pontiac guys just start their cars up and cruise. Mopar didn't want GM carbs. I don't blame them. No other choice other than Holley.

I Totally disagree.....Rochester carbs are no better or worse than Holley carbs.....it depends on one's perception and fundamental knowedge of how a carb operates and the owner's skill and ability of how to "tune" the carb to achieve the results desired. To state Rochester carbs are better than _______ (fill in the blank) without any specific reason noted, is like saying "how high is up", and is totally unfounded. To state "Mopar didn't want GM carbs" is based on ?????? ..... an opinion or fact? But, as it been said many tines before about opinions......everyone has one.....
BOB RENTON
 
I Totally disagree.....Rochester carbs are no better or worse than Holley carbs.....it depends on one's perception and fundamental knowedge of how a carb operates and the owner's skill and ability of how to "tune" the carb to achieve the results desired. To state Rochester carbs are better than _______ (fill in the blank) without any specific reason noted, is like saying "how high is up", and is totally unfounded. To state "Mopar didn't want GM carbs" is based on ?????? ..... an opinion or fact? But, as it been said many tines before about opinions......everyone has one.....
BOB RENTON
Really Bob? Rochester carbs are like Carter/Edelbrock carbs and the fuel level is below the gasket surfaces. There is not a Holley on the planet that is reusable without a overhaul after a few years. Like I said, I have a couple friends that have AAR and 440 6 pack cars that have carb issues every year. I have started 10 year old Rochesters and Carter/Edelbrock's without so much as a fuel leak. It's all in the design.
 
I have not touched my six bbl setup in probably 6 or 7 years, last rebuilt by me about 15 years ago.
Starts runs and drives like a modern car, had it out a dozen times in the last month.
 
I agree my last 6 pak setup ran fine for over 10 years
 
Trying to keep my carb price under a grand.
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396 427 tri power carb can work , let fit . i've gone to ford tri's all mech carbs at 500 cfm . run great on my 383 , would pull my 65 custom 880 rag to 120 at 6k with 2.97 in second , and nose up when i would put it in high and keep on pulling .
 
My friends must use different float bowl and metering block gaskets that you all use.
 
I used the mechanical Mopar 6 pack carbs for years. Since the fuel inlet is on the opposite side, the air cleaner plate will hit that. I still used it but did not tighten the air cleaner real tight. Mine ran great. I wish I did not sell them. The progressive linkage felt better then vacuum.
 
Used the blue gaskets I think they call them the nonstick type.
+1 on that. I ran a Six Pack for 10 years, (with vacuum secondaries). I had many leaks for the first two years or so. It was my understanding that the ethanol in the gas would wreak havoc on the gaskets and o rings, (and rubber gas lines for that matter). Once I went with the blue blue gaskets, the leaks went away. Also, I would run Lucas Ethanol treatment in the gas. As far as drivability... once the three Holleys were properly jetted, I did not have any drivability issues at all. The car always fired right up, idled smoothly, pulled strong through the gears, did not hesitate or sputter etc. Although not having a gasket below the fuel level, (Carters) seems like a much better idea, there are things that you can do to make the Holleys more reliable.
 
Really Bob? Rochester carbs are like Carter/Edelbrock carbs and the fuel level is below the gasket surfaces. There is not a Holley on the planet that is reusable without a overhaul after a few years. Like I said, I have a couple friends that have AAR and 440 6 pack cars that have carb issues every year. I have started 10 year old Rochesters and Carter/Edelbrock's without so much as a fuel leak. It's all in the design.

To rebut your statement...
True, the method of fuel containment is different and the air flow ratings of the different brands is significantly different, as well as the physical dimendions....but the longevity of the Holley fuel bowl and metering block gaskets, when applied correctly, meet the life of Rochester, Carter, Weber, etal components.
If you look at the other contributor's comments, there are just as many pro comments as negative. To wholesalely state Rochester carbs are better than ________ (fill in the blank) without plausible substantiation or explanation to their shortcomings, is, in my opinion, unacceptable. The subject can be correlated to the similar arguments/discussions regarding: spark plugs, lubricants, octane boosters, waxes and cleaning products and, brands of beer. It all depends the individual's perception and expectations.... just my thoughts.
BOB RENTON
 
those mech carbs with the fuel inlet on the drivers side are ford carbs , 390 406 stuff .
 
So in summary, the tri power carbs:
-Are smaller cfm than Mopars but work
-they will bolt to a Mopar intake?
-the mopar oval air cleaner will bolt to them?
 
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