C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

tri-power issues 1968 corvette

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 27, 2007 | 09:27 AM
  #1  
James Gregory's Avatar
James Gregory
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Default tri-power issues 1968 corvette

I am wanting to rejet my two outer carbs but I am not sure where the jets are. I know the center carb has a metering block with the jets in it, but how about the secondary carbs? I understand they have a vacum diaphragm but I don't beleive I am getting the performance I should have.

c3 owner
Reply
Old Oct 27, 2007 | 12:44 PM
  #2  
WESCH's Avatar
WESCH
Melting Slicks
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,330
Likes: 13
From: Europe , Luxembourg
Default

Hi

If you are not sure that the 2ndarie carbs open up at high power demand, you should 1st assure this B4 attempting to rejet the carbs.

You could install some kind of breakaway thing ( like paper or tape ) to the 2ndary carb linkage and do a high power test drive. If it is torn, the carbs open.

Or you disconnect the 2ndary carb linkage, do a high power test drive, re,member the feeling. Reconnect, do the same test drive and if there is a hell of a difference, they open and work.

Only now, after assuring they open ( not having a damaged vacuum pod ) , you can look for other problems, like rejetting or ?????

Günther
Reply
Old Oct 27, 2007 | 03:25 PM
  #3  
TheSkunkWorks's Avatar
TheSkunkWorks
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Default

Once everything is proven in working order, change out the secondary diaphragm springs to weaker and weaker ones until you bog (under load), then go back to the last previous set. Go one step at a time, always keeping both springs the same rating. I've done this on several tri-power setups, and have never found the original springs to deliver the best performance.
Reply
Old Oct 27, 2007 | 08:24 PM
  #4  
James Gregory's Avatar
James Gregory
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Default tri-power question

Are different diaphragm springs available based on what?

Thanks
Reply
Old Oct 27, 2007 | 08:39 PM
  #5  
TheSkunkWorks's Avatar
TheSkunkWorks
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Default

They're available from Holley as a kit. Stay tuned, and I'll go see if I still have any boxes with the number...
Reply
Old Oct 27, 2007 | 08:53 PM
  #6  
TheSkunkWorks's Avatar
TheSkunkWorks
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Default

Sorry, I've found a half dozen 2300 renew kits, but not a vacuum secondary diaphragm spring kit. If I have any left, they must be buried in storage. There's only one listed on Holley's site (# 20-13), so you might want to verify it works with the 3x2's before ordering.
Reply
Old Oct 28, 2007 | 04:26 AM
  #7  
WESCH's Avatar
WESCH
Melting Slicks
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,330
Likes: 13
From: Europe , Luxembourg
Default

Hi

There where no springs in my 2300 overhaul kits.

I also would be very interested in this spings, so pls let us know if you find the info back.

Rgds, Günther
Reply
Old Oct 28, 2007 | 09:47 AM
  #8  
ML67's Avatar
ML67
Burning Brakes
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 922
Likes: 164
From: Hudson NH
Default

Why do you feel you need to re-jet the outer carburetors? The design of these carbs is basically the secondary side of a 4160 style carb. They have a metering plate with fixed main (jet) and idle orifices. You would need to change the secondary metering plate. If you decide to go this route, select a metering plate with similar sized idle feed passages so as not to disrupt your idle mixture. Although not externally adjustable, the outer carbs do have an idle circuit.

A second option is to simply increase the main (jet) orifice in your existing metering plate using a pin vise. Increase only in very small increments keeping in mind it is the total area and not the diameter that is critical. The area increases as the square of the diameter:

Area = (Radius)^2 X pi or (pi X (Dia)^2) / 4

As correctly posted above, you should first make sure the end carburetors are fully opening, and open as fast as possible without causing a bog or hesitation. While you are checking the opening rate of the outer carburetors with different springs, you’ll probably want to inspect and replace the diaphragms as well. A torn or improperly installed diaphragm will not allow the end carburetors to open.

The correct spring kit is 20-13. The correct diaphragm kit is 135-6.

Good luck,

Mark
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-4

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
Old Oct 28, 2007 | 01:39 PM
  #9  
WESCH's Avatar
WESCH
Melting Slicks
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,330
Likes: 13
From: Europe , Luxembourg
Default

Hi

Thanks for the P/N.

So ,one needs 2 sets of spring kits and 2 sets of diaphragme kits for 1 each tripower setup ?

Günther
Reply
Old Oct 29, 2007 | 01:20 AM
  #10  
TheSkunkWorks's Avatar
TheSkunkWorks
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Default

Originally Posted by ML67
Why do you feel you need to re-jet the outer carburetors? The design of these carbs is basically the secondary side of a 4160 style carb. They have a metering plate with fixed main (jet) and idle orifices. You would need to change the secondary metering plate. If you decide to go this route, select a metering plate with similar sized idle feed passages so as not to disrupt your idle mixture. Although not externally adjustable, the outer carbs do have an idle circuit.

A second option is to simply increase the main (jet) orifice in your existing metering plate using a pin vise. Increase only in very small increments keeping in mind it is the total area and not the diameter that is critical. The area increases as the square of the diameter:

Area = (Radius)^2 X pi or (pi X (Dia)^2) / 4

As correctly posted above, you should first make sure the end carburetors are fully opening, and open as fast as possible without causing a bog or hesitation. While you are checking the opening rate of the outer carburetors with different springs, you’ll probably want to inspect and replace the diaphragms as well. A torn or improperly installed diaphragm will not allow the end carburetors to open.

The correct spring kit is 20-13. The correct diaphragm kit is 135-6.

Good luck,

Mark
Good advise there. Appreciate you verifying that spring kit number, too. It's been a while since I tuned a set of deuces, and I wasn't certain.

Yes, you need 2 each for a set of trips.
Reply
Old Oct 29, 2007 | 01:59 AM
  #11  
Irish69427's Avatar
Irish69427
Racer
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 278
Likes: 2
From: Wellington Florida
Default

Originally Posted by James Gregory
Are different diaphragm springs available based on what?

Thanks
AED makes a spring kit for this also. They also make a billet aluminum replacement metering plate that allows the use of regular jets, making tuning much easier. Pay very close attention to the clearance between the bottom of the float and the protruding jets from the bottom of this new plate. They are very close and can hang up if not checked first.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To tri-power issues 1968 corvette





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:54 PM.

story-0
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-2
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-5
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE