Go Back   The Supercar Registry > General Discussion > Pontiac


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 03-26-2021, 02:35 AM
60sStuff's Avatar
60sStuff 60sStuff is offline
Yenko Contributing Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Fremont, Ca.
Posts: 961
Thanks: 1,836
Thanked 3,625 Times in 715 Posts
Default GTO 3/2-BBL - Vacuum Actuated

A closer look at a unique and rare unit.

The 1964 GTO Tri-Power was designed and fitted with the full “Vacuum” operated 3/2’s unit from the factory on both the manual shift and automatic cars.

The 1965 and 1966 GTO with 3/2’s changed.
The manual trans equipped cars were built with the user friendly “mechanical” linkage.
However both the ‘65 and ‘66 automatic cars (engine code “YR”) were still built with the “Vacuum” units.
‘65 YR - 1456 built
‘66 YR - 1759 built

The vast majority of ‘64 thru ‘66 Vacuum units were changed out to the mechanical version, either at the dealerships or by the owners of these cars.

Suicide Linkage became the name for the Vacuum set-ups. I understand why.

The old 60’s magazine test articles are priceless with their text, but especially the photos showing just how the cars looked fresh from the factory.

This magazine below, “Speed and Supercar” has a little day-two with the crooked dark blue competition stripes.

This ‘66 GTO test car features that complicated Vacuum Tri-Power.
The view of the engine they show and the view of my “YR” are very close except my car was assembled at the Fremont plant which used a “Bundy Tube” fuel lines opposed to the other plants using aluminum fuel lines.

As it turns out, both the test car and my car were built with Power Brakes, Power Steering and Underhood Light.
Attached Images
     

Last edited by 60sStuff; 04-01-2021 at 12:28 AM.
Reply With Quote
The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to 60sStuff For This Useful Post:
grantprix (03-27-2021), markinnaples (03-20-2024), olredalert (03-10-2024), PeteLeathersac (03-12-2024)
Attachments - The Supercar Registry IMG_8590.jpg img-2581.jpg img-2021.jpg EFB23F0E-7D20-4DBD-ADE8-60DBFC9798E9.jpg
O Garage vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.
Click here to view all the pictures posted in this thread...
  #2  
Old 03-26-2021, 04:09 AM
60sStuff's Avatar
60sStuff 60sStuff is offline
Yenko Contributing Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Fremont, Ca.
Posts: 961
Thanks: 1,836
Thanked 3,625 Times in 715 Posts
Default

Intricate, yes, with no less than 12 major components.

Left side.

The “Trigger” of the system.

The center carburetor “vacuum switch” has a slide mechanism built in that allows vacuum to enter a steel line that goes up and over the carbs to activate the two end Rochesters.

The flat lever on the side of carb has three arms, two of which open and close the vacuum source.
Once you put your foot into it an arm moves the slide switch and allows vacuum to open the end carbs. This is when the Howling starts.
This is shown on a spare carb.

So, once you take your foot off the loud pedal there is still a residual vacuum in the lines holding those end carbs wide open, hence “Suicide Linkage” !!!

You are freaking out at this point thinking something is stuck and your going to die. Just at that moment, the vacuum releases the carbs and your safe.

My first time in that situation I sh*t. Now I know how to feather that vacuum switch just right.

I’ve heard stories of customers with these vacuum cars back in the late 60’s being scared and demanding the dealer do something about it.
Bring her in mam and we will throw the vacuum stuff in the garbage and installed this user friendly mechanical linkage.

This adjustable trigger switch is made by Trico.

Shortly after I bought this car in 1991 I was able to locate the Original Owner, John Kennedy in San Jose, Ca. and quizzed him on his experience with this car.
He loved it, but his wife would not drive it. I understand.
Attached Images
       

Last edited by 60sStuff; 03-26-2021 at 04:14 AM.
Reply With Quote
The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to 60sStuff For This Useful Post:
grantprix (03-27-2021), markinnaples (03-20-2024), mr.4speed (03-26-2021), olredalert (03-26-2021), Tenney (03-26-2021)
  #3  
Old 03-26-2021, 10:13 AM
69M22Z 69M22Z is offline
Yenko Contributing Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Long Island
Posts: 313
Thanks: 8,474
Thanked 151 Times in 117 Posts
Default

Very cool. Thank you for posting that.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to 69M22Z For This Useful Post:
60sStuff (03-27-2021)
  #4  
Old 03-26-2021, 02:16 PM
tjs44 tjs44 is online now
Yenko Contributing Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: long beach,ca
Posts: 895
Thanks: 3
Thanked 171 Times in 73 Posts
Default

Interesting there is no hose going to the hollow carb mounting stud on the pass side front of the rear carb.Just has a rubber cap on it?Tom
Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to tjs44 For This Useful Post:
60sStuff (03-27-2021)
  #5  
Old 03-26-2021, 02:53 PM
olredalert olredalert is online now
Yenko Contributing Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Marine City, Mi.
Posts: 8,826
Thanks: 27,252
Thanked 3,758 Times in 1,593 Posts
Default

----I'm curious weather big body Pontiacs followed the same path with the vacuum linkage on automatic cars? I remember a member here and friend, Chris P, had a gorgeous resto done on a 64 GTO convert with AC (triple black) and sourced all the vacuum stuff of the internet......Bill S

Last edited by olredalert; 03-26-2021 at 02:56 PM.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to olredalert For This Useful Post:
60sStuff (03-27-2021)
  #6  
Old 03-26-2021, 03:16 PM
Keith Seymore's Avatar
Keith Seymore Keith Seymore is online now
Yenko Contributing Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Motor City
Posts: 2,493
Thanks: 2,613
Thanked 4,476 Times in 1,242 Posts
Default

Man - I don't know about that racing stripe installation at the front...

K
__________________
'63 LeMans Convertible
'63 Grand Prix
'65 GTO - original, unrestored, Dad was original owner, 5000 mile Royal Pontiac factory racer
'74 Chevelle - original owner, 9.85 @ 136 mph best
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 03-26-2021, 03:19 PM
L_e_e's Avatar
L_e_e L_e_e is offline
Yenko Contributing Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: MI
Posts: 762
Thanks: 7,291
Thanked 621 Times in 280 Posts
Default

I learned the hard way when I was a kid that on a Mopar Six Pack the carb linkage is to CLOSE the outer carbs.....
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 03-26-2021, 06:24 PM
njsteve's Avatar
njsteve njsteve is offline
Yenko Contributing Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: NJUSA
Posts: 8,235
Thanks: 7
Thanked 2,378 Times in 752 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by L_e_e View Post
I learned the hard way when I was a kid that on a Mopar Six Pack the carb linkage is to CLOSE the outer carbs.....
Me too! I had the throttle return spring break on my 440+6 Cuda coming out of a toll booth on I-95 in Connecticut back in the day. Throttles opened and stayed open with all 6 barrels at WOT. Still in first gear at 7000 rpm, all I had time to do was click the igntion key off to kill the spark. The resulting backfire blew out the mufflers and the window(s) in the toll booth. The cops found me on the side of the road about a half mile away. Shaker was already off and I was scratching my head at what the heck went wrong. The Trooper was a car guy and handed me a couple rubber bands to rig it up so I could get home. No tickets!
Reply With Quote
The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to njsteve For This Useful Post:
L_e_e (03-12-2024), markinnaples (03-20-2024), Tracker1 (03-28-2021), Xplantdad (03-26-2021)
  #9  
Old 03-27-2021, 12:34 AM
grantprix's Avatar
grantprix grantprix is offline
Yenko Contributing Member
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: CA
Posts: 567
Thanks: 2,435
Thanked 927 Times in 196 Posts
Default

Great stuff, Chris!! I never would have guessed Trico made anything other than wiper parts.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to grantprix For This Useful Post:
60sStuff (03-27-2021)
  #10  
Old 03-27-2021, 02:14 AM
60sStuff's Avatar
60sStuff 60sStuff is offline
Yenko Contributing Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Fremont, Ca.
Posts: 961
Thanks: 1,836
Thanked 3,625 Times in 715 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by tjs44 View Post
Interesting there is no hose going to the hollow carb mounting stud on the pass side front of the rear carb.Just has a rubber cap on it?Tom
tjs44,

The test car and my car have the flat top cap on the hollow stud as these cars do not have air condition.

Air condition cars with Tri-Power pulled their vacuum source from that hollow stud on either the rear carb or center carb as shown in the illustrations.

Thanks, Chris.
Attached Images
   
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to 60sStuff For This Useful Post:
markinnaples (03-20-2024), olredalert (03-10-2024)
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT. The time now is 03:53 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.