C3 427 carb upgrade

[Dale P.]

tired of messing with my 3x2 vintage carbs. been thinking of other options. looking for something advise. should i look at upgrading to fuel injection? car is mostly orginal

[Ned T.]

Re: C3 427 carb upgrade

I didnt want to hear that !!! Im putting the Tripower back on mine when Im done with the restoration. Are they that much trouble?

[Joe L.]

Re: C3 427 carb upgrade

tired of messing with my 3x2 vintage carbs. been thinking of other options. looking for something advise. should i look at upgrading to fuel injection? car is mostly orginal

Dale-----


I wouldn't go with an aftermarket FI. As good as they are, they'll just look too different from original and will require other mods to be installed.

In my opinion, your best bet is going to be to obtain a 1969 L-36 manifold, GM cast #3947801 (you could also use 1968 manifolds GM casting #3919849 or 3937783 as they are virtually identical) and install a WELL-REBUILT or NOS Rochester Q-Jet. For driveability and problem free operation, you won't beat this set-up. Essentially, you'd be converting your L-68 to an L-36. Corvette owners would have been better off if GM never conceived of the L-68 or L-71. They had it right in 1966 when they produced the L-36 and L-72. They should have stuck with those.

Keep your manifold and carbs and re-install them if you ever sell the car. That might impress some future owner.

[Jack C.]

Re: C3 427 carb upgrade

Have them professionally rebuilt. Greg Smith or Jerry Luck. Bob Kunz did mine and they are are perfect, however, I believe Bob retired from the business. Nothing beats what's under that triangular air cleaner.

[Ned T.]

Re: C3 427 carb upgrade

Have them professionally rebuilt. Greg Smith or Jerry Luck. Bob Kunz did mine and they are are perfect, however, I believe Bob retired from the business. Nothing beats what's under that triangular air cleaner.

Thanks, Im glad to hear something good about the Tripower. I am having mine professionaly rebuilt too. I didnt think it would be a problem if theyre done right. id love to know how many cars went back to the dealer to have carbs adjusted. Surely they had to work good when they were new?? No?? I dont know much about the Tripower set up but it seems basic since it is a "mechanical" set up. If they are set up right there shouldnt be a problem, should there?? Come on now I need more positive things about the Tripower.

[Jack C.]

Re: C3 427 carb upgrade

Bob Kunz did mine, he had them for months but it was worth the wait. He re-machined certain surfaces and re-bushinged other key items. I put them on, primed them and that was it.

[Cory A.]

Re: C3 427 carb upgrade

Have them professionally rebuilt. Greg Smith or Jerry Luck. Bob Kunz did mine and they are are perfect, however, I believe Bob retired from the business. Nothing beats what's under that triangular air cleaner.

How would I contact Greg Smith or Jerry Luck. I am looking to have my tripower rebuilt as well.

[Stuart F.]

Re: C3 427 carb upgrade

A Holley is a Holley is a Holley, be it 2 barrel, a 4 barrel or 6 barrels. Any time you mix gasoline with vertical sealing surfaces you have a great potential for problems. Never liked them, never liked working on them, and I no longer have any parts on my shelves for them. Gave them all away on my last move and haven't regreted since.

Stu Fox

[Ridge K.]

Re: C3 427 carb upgrade

Dale, maybe I've just been lucky, but I've owned big block Chevrolets (both 396s and 427s) running Holley carburetors since 1969, and I haven't had a problem worth mentioning yet. Some guys don't seem to like Holleys, and some don't seem to like tri-powers, but I've found many rumors of problems to be just that, rumors and stories.
There was a discussion about this just a little over a week ago, in a thread titled "Carburetor Rebuilding". I pointed out that I had talked to various rebuilders (three to be exact), and although two were extremely polite and cordial, found them to either be overbooked (up to one year out), or, in one case, very difficult to do business with. I like to do business with fellow NCRS members whenever possible, but simply will not beg anyone to allow me to pay them for a service.
I turned to Holley's custom shop to have my original '67 tri-powers restored, and was very pleased. I had a 10 week turnaround on mine, although this can vary. I will include a photo of my restored Holley's for your review. Unless they'e had a price increase, their work is under $700 for tri-powers. Ridge