273 4 barrel manifold questions

coffeedart67 said

Will be going to swap meet this weekend, and will look for sp2p or ld4b(preferable). What should I look at as far as condition, modifications, etc. Found this for port size, is this right
1966 - 1967 {273} Casting #2658920

Heart-Shaped Combustion Chamber

Factory CC Level..........................62.0 to 65.5 CC's
Recommended Minimum CC's......57.3 CC's

Intake Port Gasket Size...............1.05" x 2.07"
If I don't know what I am looking at I as least want to look like I do. Will assemble a small tool kit to take with, small flashlight, calipers, small brush, anything else that might be useful?
Also do I understand right that a d4b can easily be made to work on my engine?

Thanks
Aaron

Click to expand...

The stock 4 barrel manifold is a good one. I'd pass on a D4B and leave it to the 64 and 65 guys, they have very few choices. Besides the bolts are at a different angle. You can use anything, even stock 340 manifolds. Any 4 barrel manifold will beat the 2 barrel anything. Holley Street Dominator is small port good fuel distribution, Weiand manifolds look period and are good, Offenhouser are good if you run across one, Edelbrock Performer should be good. 273's love rpm and since yours is solid lifter, I'd skip low rpm manifolds like a Streetmaster or the Sp2P unless you are only interested is squeezing every drop of gasoline and are willing to forgo performance to do so.

Things to look for are stripped threads and poorly repaired threads, at bad angles, plus erosion in areas that come in contact with coolant, especially in aluminum. Also check sealing areas carb, port surface, , water, and exhaust.