I have a 56 f100 with the stock 272 y block v8 and I am wanting to change the manifold to accomodate tripower using the holley 94's. I am a bit lost in regards to the right intake manifold i should use....most say to use the edelbrock 553 and few say to use the edelbrock 573 (which ive heard is mainly used for the 312). Here are my questions... Will both manifolds fit correctly? which is the best bet?

p.s. I do not have any engine work to it for now, but i do plan on slowly adding horsepower.

Both intakes will fit. If you are planning to use "G" heads, the 573 is the better choice. With earlier heads, the 553 might be a better match to the heads.

54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

lawdogg,

Because it's classed as the best tripower manifold the 573 is expensive and harder to find. It depends on what your after. It's the "old bird in the hand" senario. If your not after peak power then it's what you can find and what you're willing to pay.

If you do a search you'll find Ted's dyno test of the 3x2's which is very informitive the fenton/edmonds did quite well also.

Cheers

Warren 

Grizzly (Aussie Mainline)

As noted go back and find our moderator Ted's test of Tri power setups. In any case do not buy an Offenshauser intake, it's a very poor performer.

Paul

I've got the Offenhauser 3 deuce with 94s on my 55 Vickey with the 272, when the hood goes up its oohs and aahs at all the shows. On the highway when I go to pass someone I can feel the outer deuces open up and the pass is done easily. Although it won't impress at the dragstrip, for what I want it for it does the job and then some.

       

Gary, 55 Vicky, St. Germain, Wisconsin

 

lawdog:

For best results with any tripower manifold, the '56 distributor needs to be replaced with a '57 or later unit.  This has been discussed many times on this forum, do a search.

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

I also have the offy running original Holley 94s and would also recommend teds 3x2 post and testing. I have g heads on an oterwise stock 292. There is definately more HP in the edelbrock or even fentons. However if you do not plan to swap out the cam etc you will be leaving a lot on the table anyway. Also if max HP is your goal there are way better 4bbl set ups than the 3x2. I got the offy for a good price and figured if I ever found an edelbrock for the right price it would be an easy swap. Most edelbrocks I have run across in decent nick the seller is wanting $5-800. For that money I figure I would be getting most of the way to a rebuild, cam, etc. even the offy is good for about 40-50 HP over stock which is nice for a street machine. I have the PVs on the outer 2 blocked and run a progressive so I can get 14-16 mpg if I keep my foot out of it, but have the progressives open it will get up and go.

Mike Rizzo

1963 F100 "Rudy"

Daniel Island, SC

Ok well it sounds like I have a lot of differnt variations. But it sounds like the best bet would be a edelbrock 573 and I plan on changing the cam and running g heads. Before I do that I guess I need a distributor from a 57 but my question is does it have to be from a truck?.

O yeah and is there a manual or site that can tell me how to set it up to where I can have it be progressive and/or get good fuel efficiency when crusing but if I need to step it up the the other two carbs will open up? Sorry I am kinda new to the tripower setups guuys

As far as a distributor you can order a rebuilt unit at your local parts store.1964 Ford F100 with 292 is the application.Shop around as price varies and most come from the same supplier-Carcone.The reason you must change it is because the original is a vacuum advance only unit and works only with the original carb.The later unit is centrifugal and vacuum advance equiped.Much more responsive to ngine load and speed.