[scottyt]

i did a little searching and couldn't find an aftermarket aluminum tri-power intake. does such a thing exist?
thanks
scotty t

[Bill Hanlon]

You didn't say what year.

Edelbrock
P-303 (3x2) (catalog number 2145) (1955-1964 Pontiac V-8 engines)

Offenhauser
5028 (3x2 – small carbs) ( 1955-1960 Pontiac V-8)
5255TP (3x2 – 2 large, 1 small carb) (1955-1960 Pontiac V-8)
5255 (3x2 – large carbs) (1955-1960 Pontiac V-8)
5161 (3x2 – small carbs) (1961-1964 Pontiac V-8)
5256TP (3x2 – factory carbs) (1961-1964 Pontiac V-8)
5256 (3x2 – 3 large carbs) (1961-1964 Pontiac V-8)

[scottyt]

i'm sorry 65 and up

[carbking]

The only "aftermarket" aluminum tripower intake to fit 65 and up was the repro 1966 Pontiac unit, which has been sold by your host, PY.

Jon.

[itsa68]

Have you looked at Barry Grant's Six Shooter?

[Doug]

The '66 tripower uses a larger center carb than '65. Generally speaking, the '65 is "adequate for 428 and under, 455's need the '66.

PARTSPLACE INC sells a complete NEW '66 setup using the aluminum manifold for $1795. They have it on Ebay as item #271045856030

On the face of it, that seems to be a very good deal compared to some other "used" setups on Ebay. If you start from scratch trying to put a setup together, it will probably cost you nearly the PARTSPLACE item, not to mention the time and effort you would have to spend on doing it yourself. You may "stumble" onto a serviceable/somewhat functional '66 setup for less than that.

It seems most of the "used" items on Ebay are cobbled together/incomplete setups. Let the buyer beware!

Some of the aluminum intakes had "fitment problems. I think it was mostly with early production units so you need to research this.

I don't know if the Barry Grant setup uses the same aluminum intake as the PARTSPALCE setup does. As I recall, the Grant setup is costlier.

If you use a tripower make sure that you have a timing cover that allows for the water gooseneck to fit AND that the valley cover pans clear the manifold. I believe that 65 thru 67 covers and pans fit, some other years may. If you have a '67 428, you're probably ok but you still need to check it out.


P.S. Most stock Pontiac cast iron 4-bbl intakes (AFB's and Q-jets) perform quite well and are relatively inexpensive and readily available.

[tom s]

Will also need a small top dist.Tom

[Tom Vaught]

I have both a PY 1st Run 66 Tri-power Aluminum Intake and a Barry Grant 6-Shooter
(Casting Run Number 3). You could not even bolt down Casting Run Number 1 or 2)

The 66 PY Tri-Power intake also saw several casting runs with the 1st Run in my opinion being the best of the castings. Some of those casting are still out there and PY is offering the lastest run but I would inspect the casting for fit on a engine and return it if you have issues. The water neck deal (with the timing cover divot) is a non issue, With a later NEW timing cover you can mod the cover by adding a divot for the Tri-Power water neck.

The BG stuff was very expensive new as they would not sell just pieces (manifold separate). I bought a bare intake at Norwalk's swap meet and then worked with BG Tech to get a proper part. BG Tech was very good about trying to make the final intake I got a good one.

So for a lot less hassle I would go for the more common 66 PY Tri-Power Intake set-up. True Tri-Power carbs are still out there waiting to be rebuilt.

Tom Vaught

[scottyt]

i have a 348 tri-power in my 55 chevy, i used a stock intake with aftermarket bases on the out board carbs to make a functional but not "correct" tripower . thats what i would like to do on a pontiac motor.the stock pontiac intakes seemed a bit salty for this type of set up. i was hoping for a less pricey aftermarket intake, i'll look into the PY intake and start shopping for a reasonable stock one
thanks
scotty t