Aluminum 4 BBL manifold for a 64 question.

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loubee

loubee

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Does anyone make an aluminum 4 barrel manifold for a 64 with a 273. I currently have an Edelbrock Performer but it has managed to crack at a plug near the thermostat housing. However, I understand the Performers were for 66 and later models and have larger ports and slightly different mount hole angles. My second question is how complicated is it to drill/ream out the later manifold. Cause I don't believe this one can be welded. Any sage advice greatly appreciated.
 
I don't believe they are currently in production, but you want an Edelbrock D4B intake....made for the early 273 heads....

118_0115_zps3f73c64a.jpg


The later intake is relatively easy to ream out to fit the early heads. Other than the intake bolt holes, the early and late intakes are virtually the same.
 
65Val said:
I don't believe they are currently in production, but you want an Edelbrock D4B intake....made for the early 273 heads....

118_0115_zps3f73c64a.jpg


The later intake is relatively easy to ream out to fit the early heads. Other than the intake bolt holes, the early and late intakes are virtually the same.
Click to expand...
Is a jig or fixture required for drilling out?
 
Many people have successfully mounted a later intake without modifying any bolt holes. Use washers to attempt to even the load on the bolt head a little.
 
I hogged out the holes in a later alum manifold, using a counter-sink in a hand drill. I used flat-head allen screws (7/16 coarse thread), which have a conical bottom side. Before going that way, I searched for washers w/ ball pivot to allow flat-flat surfaces, but nothing small and affordable. A few years later, I found correct alum manifold on ebay for ~$150 (like post 2, but not DB4). They turn up occasionally. Some people have gone the other way, adapting a 64-65 manifold to a later engine, but a shame since the early ones are rare. Some people have drilled the heads for later holes (perpendicular to face).
 
I guess I should probably look into having it welded if possible first. Here is photos of crack area. Not even sure what that hole was used for. Any welders our there with advice? Or is it too far gone to repair?
20160828_093721.jpg
20160828_093733.jpg
 
loubee,
Shouldn't be too hard to seal it, since the cooling system runs <16 psig, compared to ~60 psig for home water. I would try a penetrating seal. Drain and dry out the crack w/ heat, then try a high-temp super-glue (Loctite) or maybe "flowable silicone" (for windshields). Wrap the plug w/ teflon tape so you don't have to screw it tight to get a seal. Of course, everything is "simple" when giving advice from far away. Welding to cast aluminum is difficult, put sometimes possible.
 
Super glue over baking soda makes a rock hard crystal like substance. Same goes with iron filings. I mounted a Performer on 65 heads and just took a 3/8 drill to the holes, fit right in there and just start leaning the drill up toward Vertical until you match the 65 bolt angle. Allen head bolts work because there is no flats to bind on the intake when you are tightening them. you can also get a ball end allen driver in the middle bolts to give the proper torque. I used hardened washers and a dose of sealant under the allen heads to prevent oil creeping up the threads. Worked great for a few months then the 273-4 lost a rod bearing and I pitched in favor of a 318 short block, but used all the 273 specific parts on it: cam, heads, carb and even intake. The teen was much stronger than the 273-4 down low and didn't suffer on the high end either.
 
I found a D4b on ebay for the 273 in my 65 Barracuda. Just got it installed a few months ago. It went in fine. Seems to work good. Haven't had it on the strip yet to see if performs better than the factory single plane four barrel that I used to run.

That being said, it is my understanding that it doesn't take a whole lot of grinding to make a '66-up manifold work on the 64-65 heads.
 
This is what you have to fix. This is the correct 65 5/16 bolt angle, what you need to get to with a newer intake. The >65 is a 90 off the head. Check out the cast in bolt centerline!
img_0621-jpg.1714963853
 
loubee said:
Does anyone make an aluminum 4 barrel manifold for a 64 with a 273. I currently have an Edelbrock Performer but it has managed to crack at a plug near the thermostat housing. However, I understand the Performers were for 66 and later models and have larger ports and slightly different mount hole angles. My second question is how complicated is it to drill/ream out the later manifold. Cause I don't believe this one can be welded. Any sage advice greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
I had the same problem finding a 4 barrel manifold for my 64' . I was able to eventually find a good condition Edelbrock D4b which fits the early 273s on Craigslist. I suggest checking craigslist often and one will turn up.
 
pishta said:
This is what you have to fix. This is the correct 65 5/16 bolt angle, what you need to get to with a newer intake. The >65 is a 90 off the head. Check out the cast in bolt centerline!
img_0621-jpg.1714963853
Click to expand...
Postal, is there a photo attachment here? If so, I am not able to view it.
 
That's an easy fix but you'll have to remove the intake to repair it. JB weld, Duct take, super glue, Gorilla Glue and all that is just a temp fix. Any competent shop that welds alumium can fix that. DP4B and D4B is a better intake that what you are running.
 
Clean it well, use JB weld inside and out, getting it down into the crack. Then tap it with the NPT tap, and don't overtighten the plug next time.
 
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