Old Ford pics

[John Palmer]

They had two different "factory" tri power manifolds. 

One had a milled angle to offset the "car engine angle", and keep the Holley's level to the ground.

The other factory tri power manifold was to fit the Thunderbirds that had the engines mounted in line with the ground.  The manifolds were the same, but milled at a different angle.  It's very easy to see the difference when they are side by side.

After fifty years of swap meet purchases, and parts interchanges, you will find many mismatches.

I worked at a Ford "racing" dealership in the 1960's, and they were not that common even when they were only three or four years old.

The highriser manifolds with a 780 Holley were a popular upgrade on the 289 high performance engines.  The ford Total Performance aluminum sidewinder (offset) manifold with a large Holley was a common upgrade on the 390's and 428 engines.

[mustang6984]

They had two different "factory" tri power manifolds. 

One had a milled angle to offset the "car engine angle", and keep the Holley's level to the ground.

The other factory tri power manifold was to fit the Thunderbirds that had the engines mounted in line with the ground.  The manifolds were the same, but milled at a different angle.  It's very easy to see the difference when they are side by side.

After fifty years of swap meet purchases, and parts interchanges, you will find many mismatches.

I worked at a Ford "racing" dealership in the 1960's, and they were not that common even when they were only three or four years old.

So...John...mine were both off of 406 engines. No clue what they were in, one I bought out of a guys back seat in '71, he needed money to head east the other I pulled off a 406 that was hurt bad, and came in a 49 Ford P/U I had purchased.
what is a way I can tell which I have? My plan is to use them in my '57 Couriers. Will the angle you speak of cause me any drive-ability problems going forward? I plan on driving these things until I wear out their brand new engines...or I wear out...which ever comes first.

[John Palmer]

So...John...mine were both off of 406 engines. No clue what they were in, one I bought out of a guys back seat in '71, he needed money to head east the other I pulled off a 406 that was hurt bad, and came in a 49 Ford P/U I had purchased.
what is a way I can tell which I have? My plan is to use them in my '57 Couriers. Will the angle you speak of cause me any drive-ability problems going forward? I plan on driving these things until I wear out their brand new engines...or I wear out...which ever comes first.

Post a side view photo of the two manifolds.  The difference in the milled carb base angle is significant, and easy to spot.  If you look at any of the 1959 and later T-Birds you will see they all had an engine that was mounted much lower in the front than any of the cars.  This was the reason for the two different manifolds.

[mustang6984]

I am heading out to the shop tomorrow to work on my 69...so I will shoot both of them then. Thanks...cause now I am wondering what I have. And I still am wondering if there will be a drive-ability issue here? I really don't want to have to change the motor-mount placement on my frame. UGH!

[CobraJoe]

Carroll Shelby and driver Dan Gurney posing with American Eagle car, Los Angeles, CA 1966

[hiball3985]

I am heading out to the shop tomorrow to work on my 69...so I will shoot both of them then. Thanks...cause now I am wondering what I have. And I still am wondering if there will be a drive-ability issue here? I really don't want to have to change the motor-mount placement on my frame. UGH!

If they are both original to a 406 you should be OK. I maybe wrong but I don't think any Birds had 406? If worst comes to worst you could probably just mill the carb mounting surfaces..

[Ford Blue blood]

No Birds with 406s.  From 61 - 65 you could get any engine you wanted in those Birds as long as it was a 390.  They did come in two flavors, Z code and the M code.  Z being the single 4bbl 300HP and M the tri-power.

With respect to telling the difference between the two, the Bird manifold when sitting level will have the carb bases level with the valve cover rails, the Galaxie will have a three degree down angle with respect to the valve cover rail.  The rear carb base is so much taller on the Galaxie manifold compared to the front carb base it is easy to tell the difference.

[lalessi1]

No Birds with 406s.  From 61 - 65 you could get any engine you wanted in those Birds as long as it was a 390.  They did come in two flavors, Z code and the M code.  Z being the single 4bbl 300HP and M the tri-power.

With respect to telling the difference between the two, the Bird manifold when sitting level will have the carb bases level with the valve cover rails, the Galaxie will have a three degree down angle with respect to the valve cover rail.  The rear carb base is so much taller on the Galaxie manifold compared to the front carb base it is easy to tell the difference.

Not to hijack the thread but this eBay listing has a pic that shows the angled manifold

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-3X2-Tri-Power-Intake-Manifold-FE-390-406-428-original-1962-Galaxie/163212675630?hash=item26003bca2e:g:CfsAAOSwlCBbe2ZP

[hemidave]

'62

[CobraJoe]

[SkylinerRon]

Everything you ever want to know about 3X2's at   hptrends.com

Ron.

[mustang6984]

Thanks Ron. I will pull it up and then stick it on my screen for future reference!

Blue Blood and hiball...So...here are the 2 tri-powers...looks like both have the offset carb mounts. I assume that means I am good to go for my 390 in the Courier then. Yes?

And hiball..as far as I know there was never a T-Bird with a 406...at least not from the factory. I am sure some enterprising young lad probably made a switch. LOL!!!

[djfordmanjack]

great intakes ! Hugh, are you going to build both Couriers with 390s ?
If you are still planning on your Euro trip, you might want to rethink that. Remember that gas is about twice or three times as expensive over here ! so a 302 2bbl might be a good choice for fuel economy. If you plan on driving ten thousands of kilometers, that is something to concern. also there will be added cost of insurance and there are heavy road taxes and fees in most countries as well.

[hiball3985]

When I ran my tri-power FE in my truck I had no problem getting 5-6 mpg 

[lalessi1]

Same here. I could watch the gas gauge go down on mine. While they look cool I think a four barrel on the right manifold make more power. I am sure they can work great if tuned properly and you keep your foot out of them!