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#1
09-23-2015, 02:49 PM
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Busted Vacuum Valve on Tripower..
Advice needed..
I recently bought a '59 Tripower manifold and carbs. The guy removed and boxed everything except the front vacuum port valve (whatever you call it).. Between the UPS conveyor system and the goon squad it got busted it off.. Should I just ditch the entire vacuum based system and go with progressive linkage or are these valves available for cheap? I'll be using the carbs on my '60 Safari with proper '60 manifold. The '59 manifold w/water neck will be up for grabs soon.
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Sometimes towed but never trailered! |
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#2
09-23-2015, 04:44 PM
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Personally I'd go with mechanical linkage. From what I've read the vac system can be very tricky.
But then again, I'm having my own tri-power issues, so I'm not expert.
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Thad 1958 Chieftain Safari (370,4 spd, 9 passenger) Daily Driver 1966 Bonneville Wagon (Factory 421,3x2,4spd, 9 passenger) On the road!! |
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#3
09-23-2015, 07:08 PM
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Thanks for the comeback good buddy.. I suppose I can go with the mechanical linkage and just hang on to the vac system.. Where are all the tri=power experts these days?
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Sometimes towed but never trailered! |
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#4
09-24-2015, 03:24 AM
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Agreed, that mechanical linkage is simple and reliable. However, the original vacuum linkage has one advantage- that you can use almost full-throttle on the center carb for "normal" driving, with the end carbs ready-and-willing at full throttle. Mechanical linkage limits you to just half-throttle on the center 2-bbl. My only complaint with the stock vacuum linkage on a '57 was the slow closing of the end carbs- a little unnerving for the engine to keep pulling for about a full second after taking your foot out of it! I changed to mechanical linkage instead of trying to improve the bleed-down of the vacuum diaphragm. I've thought that the best-of-both-worlds would be a microswitch/relay/solenoid setup to operate the end carbs; but it would require quite a monstrous solenoid.
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Anybody else on this planet campaign a M/T hemi Pontiac for eleven seasons? ... or has built a record breaking DOHC hemi four cylinder Pontiac? ... or has driven a couple laps of Nuerburgring with Tri-Power Pontiac power?(back in 1967) |
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#5
09-24-2015, 08:05 AM
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There are two different "valves" of which you may be referring:
(1) The vacuum motor, a metal cannister maybe 3 inches in diameter housing the diaphragm which opens the end carbs. (2) The secondary lockout water valve, a "pot metal" casting inserted into the water jacket in the front of the manifold, and retained by three small screws. Both are available, neither are "for cheap". If you are referring to (1), you might wish to consider the mechanical linkage. If you are referring to (2), simply bypass the valve by reconnecting the vacuum hoses. Most of them are no longer functional anyway; nor you would not have the secondary lockout on mechanical linkage. Just remember to NOT exercise the end carbs until the engine is at normal temperature. And Jack (post above) is right on concerning driveability. When I "upgraded" to mechanical linkage on my '64 GTO with the two-speed dogmatic transmission, I increased (rather than decreased) the 1/4 mile times! Perhaps the Pontiac engineers really knew what they were doing when they continued to use vacuum linkage with automatic trannys after mechanical was available with the sticks. Jon.
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"Good carburetion is fuelish hot air".  "The most expensive carburetor is the wrong one given to you by your neighbor". If you truly believe that "one size fits all" try walking a mile in your spouse's shoes! Owner of The Carburetor Shop, LLC (of Missouri). Current caretaker of the remains of Stromberg Caburetor, and custodian of the existing Carter and Kingston carburetor drawings. Last edited by carbking; 09-24-2015 at 08:16 AM. |
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#6
09-24-2015, 11:55 AM
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Oh, the diaphragm part is fine it's the secondary water jacket lockout valve that's busted.. I guess I'll be OK just with a metal plate over it.. Thanks for the advice.. I'm hoping this unit works out..
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Sometimes towed but never trailered! |
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#7
11-07-2015, 02:05 AM
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I have both vacuum and mechanical on different cars. My take on this would be if your going to drive the car save the vacuum linkage and switch to the mechanical. If your showing the car for points then by all means use the vacuum linkage.
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#8
11-12-2015, 12:48 AM
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Quote:
PM sent.
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1964 Tempest Coupe LS3/4L70E/3.42 1964 Le Mans Convertible 421 HO/TH350/2.56 2002 WS6 Convertible LS1/4L60E/3.23 |
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#9
12-23-2015, 07:06 PM
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I ran the mechanical linkage on my 60 with all vac items attached. But not connected.
With the big factory air cleaner the mechanical linkage was not visible. Unless you stood on your head.
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 ECM member. 2008 Outlaw Pontiac Drag Series Champion MANDRA Do it now fool! Life is short. 69 Grand Prix/3163lbs / IAII 535 w/ Tiger heads by Gaydosh....9.35@ 144 so far.. through mufflers. 1.26 60'. Going back to track with pump gas engine.... My 60 Ventura retired to street/strip duty.. |
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