69 3x2 Carb Fittings, Stepped? Or?

[Jamie F.]

I have seen two types of carb inlet fittings on L68 and L71 Tri Powers. The most common type has just the large 15/16" hex on it and the 5/8" fuel line fitting screws into it.
Then there is a second type that has the large 15/16" hex, but also a second smaller stepped down hex that a 5/8" wrench will fit on.
To me the first type makes no sense as you cannot get a wrench on it to hold it sufficiently without gouging up your float bowls, and messing up the hex when they are on the engine. The large hex is 80% shrouded by the air horn and bowl.
The second type with the additional smaller hex makes removal a breeze.
When I ordered a set from Paragon and from Holley for a 69 L68 they both sent me the two hex versions. But most of the carbs I see, and my restored carbs by The Carburetor Man in NJ, have the first type.
Any input? Would the second type be judged as correct too? They make too much sense not to install instead of the first type...
Thanks!

[Terry M.]

Re: 69 3x2 Carb Fittings, Stepped? Or?

Here is one of the originals from my 1970 LT1. It is what I would expect on 1969 Holleys also -- but it certainly would be nice to hear from some other folks with unmolested Holleys -- IF there are any.

BTW: Is this what you are describing as the two-hex style? It really isn't two-hexes -- it is just another set of flats.

Edit add: Please note the fuel inlet fitting is BLACK.

[Ken A.]

Re: 69 3x2 Carb Fittings, Stepped? Or?

I have seen two types of carb inlet fittings on L68 and L71 Tri Powers. The most common type has just the large 15/16" hex on it and the 5/8" fuel line fitting screws into it.
Then there is a second type that has the large 15/16" hex, but also a second smaller stepped down hex that a 5/8" wrench will fit on.
To me the first type makes no sense as you cannot get a wrench on it to hold it sufficiently without gouging up your float bowls, and messing up the hex when they are on the engine. The large hex is 80% shrouded by the air horn and bowl.
The second type with the additional smaller hex makes removal a breeze.
When I ordered a set from Paragon and from Holley for a 69 L68 they both sent me the two hex versions. But most of the carbs I see, and my restored carbs by The Carburetor Man in NJ, have the first type.
Any input? Would the second type be judged as correct too? They make too much sense not to install instead of the first type...
Thanks!

The second type are incorrect

[Jamie F.]

Re: 69 3x2 Carb Fittings, Stepped? Or?

Terry,
Yes those are exactly what I am speaking of.
I think that if they are correct on your '70 and not correct on a '69 someone at GM must have figure out that the "correct" versions were incorrect and didn't work!
Don't know why it took them 3 years of Tri Powers to figure it out...

[Terry M.]

Re: 69 3x2 Carb Fittings, Stepped? Or?

If they are black, and look like the picture I posted -- use them. You will get credit if I judge your car.

But stay tuned because I have had conversations with some folks who are non-believers. I can't recall who they were, so I am not certain they frequent this board, but if they do this could get interesting.

[Clem Z.]

Re: 69 3x2 Carb Fittings, Stepped? Or?

the ones with just one wrench hex the hex is longer to get the wrench on. you can even get a thin walled socket on the fitting. the double faced ones the hex is 1" and the flats are 11/16".

[Terry M.]

Re: 69 3x2 Carb Fittings, Stepped? Or?

Thanks Clem -- I was about to go out and measure the hex size -- I was almost certain it was 1-inch, but I wanted to be sure I wasn't mixing up the measurement with the Rochester fuel inlet/filter fitting, which is also 1-inch.

[Jamie F.]

Re: 69 3x2 Carb Fittings, Stepped? Or?

the ones with just one wrench hex the hex is longer to get the wrench on. you can even get a thin walled socket on the fitting. the double faced ones the hex is 1" and the flats are 11/16".

Problem is with the fuel line attached you can't use a socket. And the only time you need to hold it is when trying to remove the fuel lines...

[Clem Z.]

Re: 69 3x2 Carb Fittings, Stepped? Or?

Problem is with the fuel line attached you can't use a socket. And the only time you need to hold it is when trying to remove the fuel lines...

if you are holding the fitting to remove the fuel lines using a open end wrench is not a problem but when installing this fitting in the bowl sometimes the flats do not line up for ease of the open end wrench. since the fitting and the lines are steel getting the flare to seal can be a problem but if you use the copper flare washer it will seal much easier with less leverage needed to get the fitting leak tight

[Jamie F.]

Re: 69 3x2 Carb Fittings, Stepped? Or?

Clem, sorry but that is not my experience when trying to get off the fuel lines. No problem putting them on.
The flats never line up to put an open end wrench on then as the range of access is less than 15 degrees.
I have seen a socket that is cut out on one section to slip over a line, but I don't have one of those!

[Clem Z.]

Re: 69 3x2 Carb Fittings, Stepped? Or?

Clem, sorry but that is not my experience when trying to get off the fuel lines. No problem putting them on.
The flats never line up to put an open end wrench on then as the range of access is less than 15 degrees.
I have seen a socket that is cut out on one section to slip over a line, but I don't have one of those!

when i used to work on the 3X2 setups i would take the lines apart at the fuel block fitting and then remove the carb to the bench to remove the fuel line from the carb because of the problem you posted. you can buy open end wrenches that have the heads on different angles to make the job easier or you can even heat std wrenches and bend them to fit