I am looking for some assistance in determining the value of an engine I just purchased in an old wooden speed boat. It is a 1958 Chevy v8 283 with an aluminum intake manifold and 3 double barrel carbs. I was wondering if this was an orginal Chev product or if it was make by another supplier. Any interest or information would be appreciated.

I'm not positive but.... I don't think GM ever offered a "Tri-Power" manifold/carb set-up on the small block from the factory. Aftermarket only?

They DID make one in the late 50's for the 348, which is not a small block.

If you have a small block (283), it's probably an Offenheiser unit... And may be worth some serious coin if it is no longer produced and is complete with the carbs/linkage.

Chevy manifolds would have a GM casting number on them. Aftermarket manifolds would not have the GM casting numbers.
If I remember correctly, no Chevy small block car or truck engine ever came from the factory with 3 deuces. Chevy still could have made it for offroad use for boats, but I haven't seen one. The 283 did come with 2 4bbl carbs for a couple of years, and the 348 came with 3 deuces in 1958, but a 348 intake wouldn't fit the 283.

Sounds like an old Offenhauser or Edelbrock set-up.

Nice collectors piece for someone into nostalgia or rat rods...

I, have one and yes Chevy did manufacture the manifold. It was originally equipped with three WCFB's. That's all I can remember and I, don't have it here to check it for casting numbers, it's in storage.

I hate to say this guy, but GM NEVER made a three WCFB 4-barrel Small Block intake and only a handful of Holley three 2-barrel intakes that guys like Smokey got!!

I don't even think you can fit three WCFB's on the top of a SB intake b/c it's not long enough??

pdq67

Three WCFB 4-barrell?? Actually they did manufacture a 3 deuce manifold utilizing the Carter WCFB's.

The original question was about a 3 "TWO" barrel manifold.
WCFBs are four barrels, as most know.
WCFB stands for "Will Carter Four Barrel", Will Carter, being the proprieter of Carter Carbs, etc.
WCFBs are considered the first production four barrel carb, 1951 or 52.
Don't see how you could fit three of those puppies on a small block intake, unless it was some ultra trick, triangular cross ram like design??? LOL
Original alum. GM intake should have the letter W in a spider web like design logo cast in the mould, which stands for Winters Foundry, which did Chevy's specialty intake castings.
Supposedly, they made some 3x2 sb setups and guys like Yunick, as mentioned, got them for R&D.

Don

Like I said, NO stock SB 3x2 intakes were sold!!

I had at one time, a SB Offy 3x2 Stromberg intake and trip's, but it was an antique, imho!!

And I had a massively worked over 348 "W" motor's 3x2 intake w/ three big Rochester 2-barrels on it that I made to work for my .060" over, 11.5 to 1 CR., 421"/409" "W" engine that I had in my car way back then for a while!!

Sucker ran like a SB!!!

pdq67