[71 lemans sport 455]

What are 66 Tri Powers going for these days that needs to be restored. Its all original and been sitting on the shelf for about 30 years. Still has the carb tags on 2 out of the 3 carbs. I don't think its ever been apart. Has linkages all in tack to. Thanks Chris

[Ram4king]

500-800 I'd say Chris. Nice ones sell for 12-18 hundred.

[NEW64OWNER]

When I was shopping for one a month ago I saw prices of what you describe in the $1500-$1800 range,a few right on this website, which I feel is too much. I did buy a restored set up, ready to run all brand new for $2300. I didn't want to mess with redoing any thing.
If you could buy what you describe for under $1000 it would be a great deal.

[Greg Reid]

I bought a '65 unit a few years ago. Not exactly 'plug and play' but complete. It came with two extra end carbs, rebuild kits and some other odds and ends. It was $900. The '66 units usually go for a bit more.
From what you describe and without seeing it, I would think in the $900 range, give or take a couple hundred.

[Dick Boneske]

Complete in need of restoration/rebuild $650-$850. Restored ready to run with carbs dichromated, not painted complete with linkage, lines, fuel filter, air cleaners, etc. $1800-$2200.

[GT182]

Did you ever get it running Greg?

[Greg Reid]

Originally Posted by GT182

Did you ever get it running Greg?

I'm actually going through the (for me) S-L-O-WWWWW process of putting a '66 389 together for it. Once I assemble the engine, I'll start going through the tri-power...hopefully with the guidance of someone like Dick Boneske..
In fact, just yesterday I bought the correct fuel lines for it from someone in the classifieds.
Still need one airhorn to replace the out of round one that won't take the breather base.
That's a long way of saying..."No"...lol

[geeteeohguy]

Ebay will tell you, if you're selling it. I have a '66 set up that's been on the shelf for 20 years and no way would I sell it for $800. Where I am, I could never replace it for that. Original, non-messed with tripowers are not very common these days.

[Doug]

Originally Posted by 71 lemans sport 455

What are 66 Tri Powers going for these days that needs to be restored. Its all original and been sitting on the shelf for about 30 years. Still has the carb tags on 2 out of the 3 carbs. I don't think its ever been apart. Has linkages all in tack to. Thanks Chris

From what your user name is, I assume you "thinking about" putting a 66 tripower on your 1971 car with a 455 motor. Accordingly, the correct/numbers matching part of the tripower isn't as important to you, as it would be to say, a 66 GTO guy. With that in mind I'll offer some thoughts.

1.If the engine has an HEI distributor, the tripower won't fit. (may be so with some other aftermarket distributors too)

2. The 455 valley pan cover won't work because of the PCV valve location.

3. The 455 timing cover won't work, although it and some late model ones will with slight mods. You will need an "early" (mid-60's) cover. (thermostat housing clearance is the issue)

4. Your alternator mounting adjustment strap(s) may not work. You may need new ones.

5. The thermostat housing on the unit may not work with your radiator hose setup. (You may have to get another style housing)

6. I don't know about 70's car but you may need to check to see if the tripower air cleaners will clear under your hood.

Those are a few things that come to mind for me. There may be others.


In any case, back to your question. Some things to consider about the setup depends upon if you want a numbers/matching and factory appearing setup or one that is good in function and appearance. (A potential resale value may come into your consideration.)

1. Are the carbs really correct 66 tripower carbs? The "tags" on the carbs are removable and replaceable. You need to check numbers on the float bowls, bases, etc. to see if they are "real" 1966 tripower carbs.

2. Are the throttle plates/shafts free and moveable and do the plates "seal" in the bores?

3. Are there any broken or cracked parts or are any threads damaged in the carburetor screw holes or fuel line fitting holes?

4. Are there any broken or cracked parts or are any threads damaged in the manifold?

Personally, if it were me wanting a 66 tripower for an off-year car, I would buy the aftermarket 1966 aluminum manifold, round up some "buildable" carbs and build a set for myself. Virtually all new parts to do so are readily available.

Recently I offered a guy a 66 tripower "builder" setup for $850 and I made up a list for him of new parts to make it into a virtually show-car setup and it came to about $500. (paper filters vs foam). He hasn't come back.

I suggest you look at the below listed web site for insights. He also has a multi-part series of YouTube videos that are very informative.

http://www.pontiactripower.com/catalog

[400 4spd.]

I ordered parts and the video from them earlier today.

[Greg Reid]

^^ I talked to Mike Wasson of that website years ago when I bought mine. He was very knowledgeable and helpful. Spent a lot of time talking to me and never tried to sell me anything. I was planning to order the video myself as I start getting into my '66.

[GT182]

Originally Posted by Greg Reid

That's a long way of saying..."No"...lol

LOL No it wasn't Greg. I'm glad you're going to use them. I thought long and hard on it but couldn't do it. I just didn't have the money or the time so I had to let it go. Besides, I still like my 4bbl Carter "Competition Series".

[Doug]

When looking at tripower carbs keep be aware that the 66 end carbs have bigger venturi bores (1 3/8") than the 65 end carbs do (1 1/4").

Also, I recently saw an Ebay listing purporting to be some rebuilt 66 end carbs but their venturi bores were only 1 5/16".

The below website info will help in identifying carbs.

http://www.thecarburetorshop.com/Tripowerspecs.htm

[marxjunk]

i just paid 750 for a mint completely correct unrestored, 66 manual trans set..i even heard it run and drive on the car before i paid for it...i feel i stole it, myself..it was on a 66 tempest and the guy just wanted to get a 4 bbl for gas economy...

anything under a grand thats right and complete seems like a good deal to me...

unfortunately, they will bring more if correct, parted out, than together..

[Dick Boneske]

Originally Posted by Doug

When looking at tripower carbs keep be aware that the 66 end carbs have bigger venturi bores (1 3/8") than the 65 end carbs do (1 1/4").

Also, I recently saw an Ebay listing purporting to be some rebuilt 66 end carbs but their venturi bores were only 1 5/16".

The below website info will help in identifying carbs.

http://www.thecarburetorshop.com/Tripowerspecs.htm

That is not correct. ALL the Pontiac Tripower end carbs from 1959-1966 had the same venturi size--1 5/16".

There were two float bowl castings--#7011997 for '59-'64 and #7029683 for '64-'66. They are identical functionally, but have some cosmetic differences. The first two pictures are of different versions of the 997 float bowls--some had the casting numbers on the side and some on the bottom of the bowl. The third picture is of the latest 683 float bowl. The fourth picture is of a 997 float bowl--passenger side. The fifth picture is of a 683 float bowl passenger side. Note the last 683 picture shows a casting rise toward the front of the float bowl, which very few of the 683 castings had.

All the '59-'66 end carbs did have the same airhorns (tops). There were several different versions of throttle body castings. The early bases ('59-'63) had throttle stops that only allowed the throttle plates to open about 80%. All the '64-'66 end carbs had bases that allowed 100% throttle opening. It's not difficult to modify the earlier bases to allow full throttle opening.

[71 lemans sport 455]

I'm trying to help a older gentleman in the neighborhood sell some parts that he has had in the garage for many years. I am starting with the carbs he has some complete and some in pieces. 2 and 4 barrels. Just trying to get him a fair market price on everything. Thanks For every ones input so far.

[ReelFun]

Dick, do you know the float bowl casting for a 65 center carb? Mine is 7018923. Does that sound right? My end carbs are as you stated above for 65.

[Dick Boneske]

Johnny,

You may have misread the numbers. The '65 center carb float bowl should be 7019927 for manual transmission or 7019929 for automatic transmission.

Those were the same for all Pontiac Tripowers from '61-'65, as were the airhorn castings.

I've seen a few center carbs with 7043785 float bowls, but I think those were service replacements for the 7019927's. They had the two "dips" cast on the front surface as you can see in the pictures.

[ReelFun]

Dick, you are right, I did misread it. It is 7019923. Any ideas what this came from?

[Dick Boneske]

No, if it's a correct carb, it ends in 927 or 929. Sometimes those cast numbers are hard to read. Use a magnifying glass. I've never seen a 923.