[gpvert]

Just added a 1966 Pontiac tripower to my 1967 Pontiac Grand Prix. Can’t get the mechanical linkage to move enough to fully open the middle two barrel and so the outboard carbs are not fully opening. If I push the middle carb linkage from under the hood I can get the carbs to all fully open and the linkage bell crank that connects to the pedal moves sufficiently. I’ve tried everything possible including replacing the pedal rod with thick wire and a straight rod with rod ends. I haven’t tried bending the OEM pedal rod because not sure how that would create more throw. The whole linkage is all rods and bellcrank unlike some gtos that had a cable setup. Has anyone had any similar experience with a b body and if so how did you resolve.

[ANDYA]

A friend of mine put a 66 Tri Power on his 67 Catalina years ago and I don’t remember him having this problem. Not to say he didn’t it’s just that he didn’t mention anything. One thing I would check is the carpet under the gas pedal. If the carpet has been replaced sometimes there is too much padding that prevents

[Joe37]

Unhook the linkage at the throttle pedal.

Open the carburetors wide open and tie them that way or use a strong bungie cord to hold them open.

Go back under the dash and hold the throttle pedal to the floor and see if it aligns with the bell crank.

The tri-power doesn't have any more linkage travel then a standard two or four barrel carb does. I would bet the original carb didn't open all the way either.

Bending the rod under the dash makes the foot pedal higher off the carpet, thus it has more travel. The carburetors should hit wide open just as the pedal hits the floor, you don't want to pull on the carb anymore than what it needed to go wide open.

[Dick Boneske]

Originally Posted by Joe37

Unhook the linkage at the throttle pedal.

Open the carburetors wide open and tie them that way or use a strong bungie cord to hold them open.

Go back under the dash and hold the throttle pedal to the floor and see if it aligns with the bell crank.

The tri-power doesn't have any more linkage travel then a standard two or four barrel carb does. I would bet the original carb didn't open all the way either.

Bending the rod under the dash makes the foot pedal higher off the carpet, thus it has more travel. The carburetors should hit wide open just as the pedal hits the floor, you don't want to pull on the carb anymore than what it needed to go wide open.

Very good advice. Be sure the throttle opens fully, but that there is no strain on the throttle lever when the pedal reaches the floor. So many of the Tri-Powers I restore have the throttle lever loose due to improper adjustment.