Hot Rod Induction System History

by Dick Talbert

Electronic Fuel Injection (i.e. EFI) is the only type of induction system that many younger readers may have experienced. However, prior to fuel injection and even prior to computerized carburetors, multiple carburetion was an almost mandatory path to higher horsepower. Following is a partial list of some examples of multiple carburetion.

Honest Charlie Catalog

As late as the early seventies, Chrysler products offered "Six Packs" (i.e. three two barrel carburetor options) on 440 and 340 CID engines and "Dual Quads" (i.e. two four barrel carburetor options) on 426 Hemi engines.

In 1967, the top Corvette engine option was a 427 CID engine producing 435 horsepower via three two barrel carburetors.

Sparkomatic Catalog

In the fifties and early sixties many automotive brands offered multiple carburetor configurations. Pontiac coined the term "Tri-Power" for a triple two barrel combination. Many Tri-Power 389 and 421 CID "Indians" roamed the streets. Chevrolet had triple two barrels on some 348 CID engines and dual quads on some 409 and 283 CID engines. Oldsmobile had a "J2" triple two barrel package for their 347 CID engine in 1957 and 1958 as well as another offering for their 400 CID "442" engine option in 1966. Buick had a dual quad setup for their 401 CID Riviera Gran Sport in 1965. Cadillac got into the act early with a dual quad option in 1956. Ford and Mercury had triple two barrels on the 390 and 406 CID engines and dual quads on the 427. Both Dodge and Plymouth had dual quad options on their "Max-Wedge" 413 and 426 CID power plants as well as older high performance 383 CID engines.

As far back as the 1951 - 1954 time frame, Hudson had a dual single barrel induction system called "Twin H Power" on a flathead 308 CID straight six cylinder engine. During this time, "Speed Shops" like Honest Charlie and Sparkomatic were as popular as Summit Racing, JEG'S, and PAW of today.

Triple two barrel and dual quad carburetor setups were popular for a long period of time, but in even earlier times the "more is better" mentality led to "log manifolds" offering six and even eight two barrel carburetors. What a synchronization and linkage nightmare! Both Honest Charlie and Sparkomatic offered these manifolds as shown below:

Honest Charlie Catalog

Sparkomatic Catalog

It's pretty hard to see in the ads above, but log manifold prices are about $50.00. When adjusted for inflation, that $50.00 was a relatively expensive proposition. "Gear heads" always discover ways to make more horsepower. But, just like today, "If you want to go fast, you got to pay".