Ok Guys
I have read all the work Ted has done on all the tri power intakes (thanks Ted!!) but if one is not aiming for high reving hourse power but instead a hooped up stockish 272, where I would like to add a tripower for looks, cool factor, and a few extra ponnies.

Now to the question:
If I want to focus on low rpm torque, Would it be more beneficial to go the offenhauser tricarb intake instead of edelbrock 553 or 753. I was thinking of air/fuel mixture speed from carbs to cylinder?

Would appreciate all the feedback I could get.

II have a few oppenings for offenhauser intakes but non for the 553 and 573.

Would the 553 be more appropriate for low end torque over the 573?

Thanks in advance


Best regards Jimmy Carlsson, Fagersta (Sweden) Ford F100 1956, 272 , 3 manual with OD
Follow my restoration on http://dinnerhillspeedshop.blogspot.se/

Based on Ted's testing, the Offenhauser is just plain bad for any kind of performance, low end or high end.  It might be a hair better than your stock intake, depending on which one you would be swapping from but for the most part, it is a mount for 3x2s so you can get the look and that's about it.  If you find one cheap, get it and use it until you find something that is good.



Lawrenceville, GA

The problem with the Offy is it's a 360° design manifold and the plenum is open to all the ports, not separated like the 180° manifolds. With the Y-Block port configuration the fuel tends to 'pool' in the bottom ports of the 360° design manifold, thus having poor atomization and run richer in those cylinders.

"The Master Cylinder"

Enjoying life at the beach in SOCAL

Hmmm its THAT bad.... Well then I know I will keep looking for a edelbrock manifold

What about the 553 or 573 ?? for low end power

Best regards Jimmy Carlsson, Fagersta (Sweden) Ford F100 1956, 272 , 3 manual with OD
Follow my restoration on http://dinnerhillspeedshop.blogspot.se/

I am sorry to hear this! Last week a friend gave me an Offy tri power intake and I had figured on using it on the fresh 292 I am building.I remember using them many years ago and they seemed to give more power than the 1x4 setup with a small base WCFB carter or teapot Holley.Of course that was 40 plus years ago and you know what they say about old mens memories.

Here's a linkhttp://forums.y-blocksforever.com/Topic40554-1.aspx If you are going from a single carb intake, then the offy may be an upgrade but it was at the very bottom of the 3x2 intakes tested by a pretty significant amount.



Lawrenceville, GA

You will notice that all of the other manifolds are of 180° design, you can see the separation of the runners to the upper and lower ports. Only the Offy manifold (lower right) is a 360° where the runners all connect to a central 'log' running down the center. Compare with the size of the runners on the 573 Edelbrock (upper right).

"The Master Cylinder"

Enjoying life at the beach in SOCAL

The 553 Edelbrock likely would work well on a 272. As pointed out, the Offy is an inferior design. However, there are other intakes out there that are better & likely don't command the price that the two Edelbrocks do. Look for an Edmunds, Weiand or Fenton. All except the Fenton were tested by Ted, so the ratings are published.  


Paul

I got an NOS Offy 3x2 intake cheap ($110) and have been running it for quite a few years with original holley 94s.
It is superior to the OE single 2bbl.
I didn't pay a lot and it was in NOS condition with no stripped threads, broken studs or booger welded cracks that you see on so many.
I got it with the same intention of finding a decent priced Edelbrock-the prob is a decent priced Edelbrock in good condition has been like finding a unicorn.
I like the additional power and the nostalgia of using original parts-(also have G heads with mild port)
If you want top performance a 60+ year old carb set up that is prone to leaking, boiling and myriad I other tinkering x3 and doesn't like any more than 2PSI is not the answer.
If I ever do find that unicorn-or if Vic ever builds the intake they promoted a few years ago-the carbs and progressive linkage 75% of the time I am putting along on just the primary as the outers have blocked idle circuits and PV.


Mike Rizzo

1963 F100 "Rudy"

Daniel Island, SC