I’m posting this information mostly as a warning to other GTO guys. I purchased a Tripower set in late 2017. Initial unit arrived in December. Supposedly completely refreshed all around bolt on manifold carbs et al. Here’s the nightmare story.
1) Decembers arrival was damaged mostly as a result of poor packaging (light duty plywood 1/8th inch box around unit on a small pallet). Crushed in on one corner damaging air cleaner & front carb. Calls to supplier led to debate about packaging VS shippers handling. After arguments with a manager replacement finally agreed.
2) Second arrival ( better packaged ) on large pallet. In the process of painting this manifold I discovered a crack in the manifold. Following considerable argument they agreed to ship a new manifold. This meant I had to tear it all down to strip the manifold. Now of course NOT a bolt on unit. I shipped the manifold back and received a replacement . They sent replacement manifold WITHOUT new carb base gaskets.
3) After considerable argument, once again, the sent replacement gaskets.
4) I reassembled the unit —- carbs , linkage and fuel lines choke , etc... Following installation on the car I discovered poor runability. Now with my mechanics help we got to a point where rebuilding the carburetors seemed necessary. So I authorized that work and he rebuilt them. We discovered front card had a sharp indentation in the edge (exterior) of the fuel bowl and the center carb had some kind of a patch inside the fuel bowl.
5) We also realized the choke was not functioning “at all“ therefore causing real hard starts. I purchased a new choke assembly from Wright Tripower which was “perfect” and following its installation along with some added adjustments the car ran the best it had thus far.
6) HOWEVER , we still had some idle issues and hesitation upon acceleration. Upon further diagnosis We did discover some vacuum leakage but with some guidance from Wright Tripower guys decided the carburetors were still problematic. So at this point I have shipped the carbs to a partner with theWright Tripower team , located in Missouri . He , John ,is in the process of externally reviewing the carbs followed by disassembly and rebuilding and modifying them as required to meet real 66 GTO like specs and operation. John also has a test engine at his shop for running and testing the middle carb after rebuild.
NOTE1: These guys at Wright Tripower are extremely knowledgeable , cooperative and helpful beyond belief. I DID NOT BUY THE ORIGINAL UNIT FROM THEM. I SERIOUSLY REGRET THAT !!
NOTE 2: I PURCHASED THE UNIT FROM “The Parts Place “. Somewhere near Chicago. I strongly recommend not buying from “ The Parts Place”. Junk Tripower set up & terrible customer service !!