1967 tri-power buying help

[Keith B.]

Looking to upgrade dads 427/390 auto with C60 with a correct oval port tir power intake with the correct dated carbs. My questions whats the difference between the center carb from a auto to manual. I have a feeling finding a correctly dated center carb for a auto will be difficult. So can someone convert one. Also can you easily spot a repro intake from a original one? We will looking at doing all this at Corvettes at Carlisle I know this isn't ideal but we are old fashion and like too feel things before he buys. any tips or pointers will be helpful.

If it matters last year the car got a regional Top Flight and dad is done going for ribbons.

[Joe R.]

Re: 1967 tir power buying help

Hi Keith,

Beautiful car!!! I don't have an answer to your question. But from the title I thought this was a "I need help with new tires" type of thread. So I would suggest asking Don Hooper or another moderator to change the title to say "tri power" or something like that. Good luck!!!

Joe

[Richard M.]

Re: 1967 tir power buying help

Keith, I too thought it was about tires......

I acquired a reproduction intake for a L71 recently. Nice piece. I did not use the original on a engine rebuild because I had to have the intake shaved, so I got a repro. In your dad's case, I'd suggest a repro as he's doing a re-creation so to speak.

As far as the 3 Holley's go, I'd also suggest the dated repros, especially since finding good dated original units will be both time consuming and expensive. Then the rebuild/restore costs. Again, since the car won't be judged, is it really necessary to have them dated "correct"?


edit.......undated repros. Seems decent $.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HOLLEY-CARBS-Corvette-427-1967-Tri-Power-3x2-Set-Up-/231826655532?fits=Model%3ACorvette&hash=item35f9f2092c:m:mN8hq0Z1GisNck7WAcpSleA&vxp=mtr

Rich

[Keith B.]

Re: 1967 tir power buying help

Thanks all I guess my title got auto corrected and did not notice. So if a mod sees this can you please correct the tittle.


Dad has in his mind he wants dated carbs. I'm trying to talk him out of it. I wasn't sure if the repro intake is a good peice. I'm concerned about leaks once installed. Having a 3x2 car will fulfill his dream. I just don't want this to become a nightmare.

Joe we are not concerned about making power. Just having the look of a 3x2 car. And trust me I'm not sure this is a good idea too. I just trying to help him by getting advice from people who has owned them and worked on them. Also as much as I enjoy that forum when it comes to some issiues I trust this forum a tad more. And I know I won't get juvenile responses.

[Richard M.]

Re: 1967 tir power buying help

Keith, Don Hooper fixed it and had a post here that he did but he must've deleted it.

I figured your dad just wants the 3x2 look and cool factor, and if that's what he wants so be it. But Joe makes some valid points. They can be a real pain. You probably recall some of the issues I've dealt with on some 3x2's I've worked on. They're okay when everything is running good, but have a problem?......look out. Just removing them is a pain, and those fuel lines are a bugger to get right and get tight too.

Does dad know what this stuff can cost yet? I'd estimate 2 grand for restored dated carbs and misc lines etc, $2500+ for a nice original intake, another $350 for a repro air cleaner, and then some. This could get very expensive, around 5 grand. Or the whole repro package from Crane's for about $4400. I think that may include dated carbs.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/67-Corvette-427-400-hp-COMPLETE-OVAL-PORT-TRI-POWER-SYSTEM-3x2-big-block-/141876690322?hash=item2108827d92:g:n34AAOSw5dNWlsJd

http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/WQsAAOSwFqJWlsKS/s-l1600.jpg

Rich
PS I sent you a TDB email

[Keith B.]

Re: 1967 tir power buying help

yes we are aware of the cost and I know it isn't cheap. In reality the crane deal isn't bad IF they are quality parts. I understand the problems come along with it and that scares me a little and in my area I don't know anyone who has experience with 3x2 set ups. So its going to be a learning curve.

[Larry M.]

Re: 1967 tir power buying help

yes we are aware of the cost and I know it isn't cheap. In reality the crane deal isn't bad IF they are quality parts. I understand the problems come along with it and that scares me a little and in my area I don't know anyone who has experience with 3x2 set ups. So its going to be a learning curve.

Keith:

The reproduction aluminum manifolds are made/sold by Coffman Corvette. He is the primary supplier. Pics are available on their website. They are high quality manifolds. The reproduction are made with only a few casting dates..........which are known dates. That is about the only way to tell from the originals. David Crane sells both originals and reproductions.

http://www.coffmancorvette.com/intakes.html

The carbs that Crane sells are both reconditioned originals and Holly service replacements. David will date the carbs for you for a price. He can probably also replace a few of the obvious different parts and bolts, etc so the replacement carbs look more like originals. But they are new Holly carbs, so they will function well.

Having once owned a 1967 427/390 HP car, my advice is to keep the single carb.............but the 3x2 setup does look nice to the observer.

Larry

[Richard M.]

Re: 1967 tir power buying help

Here are a few detailed photos of the square port reproduction I bought, showing some of the areas you cannot see on the marketing photos. I had to remove the baffle before machining the intake to make sure no milling debris would get trapped. As you can see, it's mold must have been from one of the Dec '66 pieces.

[Keith B.]

Re: 1967 tir power buying help

So what I am gathering once installed one could not tell its a repro part? Then you won't have to worry about finding a good useable original that doesn't need welded up.

[Richard M.]

Re: 1967 tir power buying help

So what I am gathering once installed one could not tell its a repro part? Then you won't have to worry about finding a good useable original that doesn't need welded up.

It'll be obvious as it's brand new and shiny and clean. You may have to make it look old to trick the masses.

I like them because I've been burned before with used aluminum intakes. They look okay, then you find out they've been tampered with, or corroded, or hairline cracks, or worse.

About 25 years ago I bought a original 2x4 '653 for my '59 as the rear cooling port area was corroded and had a pinhole on the one on my engine, expoxied over by a prior owner. That area is a common design flaw on those, along with broken right front corners.

I got the used one for $75. What a deal. Someone painted it orange, and the guy at the swap meet in Amherst, NH then who was selling.......(I hope you're listening)....said. "Yup, I painted it but I thought they all were orange." I figured I could do a light beadblast to make it fresh.

When I got the manifold home and in certain light I saw something strange. I stripped a little of the paint off and there it was. A huge crack over the right front intake runner area. I wasn't happy. I saved that POS for 20 years and finally gave it away to someone.

Motto, sometimes old used stuff isn't worth the hassle.

[Keith B.]

Re: 1967 tir power buying help

Well it is going on a restored car so it needs to look shiny and new. That's what I don't like about old performance alumnimn parts. They all seem to have issues. Some are more easy to spot then others.

[Larry M.]

Re: 1967 tir power buying help

Well it is going on a restored car so it needs to look shiny and new. That's what I don't like about old performance alumnimn parts. They all seem to have issues. Some are more easy to spot then others.

Keith:

Although Coffman is the manufacturer/supplier, there are a number of distributors for the manifolds. Crane is just one of this group. If you search around on Ebay and other Corvette parts houses you can probably find the best (lower) cost for a new manifold. The Coffman price on their website is retail and high $$$$. You can do better if you search awhile.

Larry

[Keith B.]

Re: 1967 tir power buying help

Larry Thanks for all the help. We are going to do all this shopping at Carisle at the end of the month. Weather or not he is going to buy it is on him. I have no influence on what he spends. As I say he's just spending my inheritance. And will be my headache if it doesn't go as planed.

No one seemed to answer my question about the center carb and the diffreance between the auto and manual one. And if the manual can be made into the auto version.

[Larry M.]

Re: 1967 tir power buying help

Larry Thanks for all the help. We are going to do all this shopping at Carisle at the end of the month. Weather or not he is going to buy it is on him. I have no influence on what he spends. As I say he's just spending my inheritance. And will be my headache if it doesn't go as planed.

No one seemed to answer my question about the center carb and the diffreance between the auto and manual one. And if the manual can be made into the auto version.

Keith:

I am certain it can be done...............but then you will have the 4-speed carb "numbers" still on the carb, and it will likely involve some Holly spare parts that will cost you as well. Better in my opinion to buy a later Holly service replacement for the auto car and just get it stamped for the date you want.

The differences are probably the jets/metering body and the carb linkage attachment.............and obviously the carb LIST code and GM Part number. But I do not know this for sure. A call to Eric Jackson or Bob Kuntz or similar rebuilder should be able to get you the best and most correct information.

[Jaime G.]

Re: 1967 tir power buying help

Keith, first try Carlisle. If not completely successful try David Sokolowski. He advertises in the driveline.
he can refer to other sources who may have what you need. If you are spending real money, don't buy
the reproduction stuff. Be patient and you will succeed.