Early A with 383 and HP exhaust manifolds ???

[604B1duster]

Anyone have, seen, or know of an early A
with a B motor and exhaust manifolds ?
I’d like to hear details and see some pics.
Thanks

 

[RustyRatRod]

Yup. Lots of people have done it. IF you can STAND to navigate bigblockdart.com there are some pictures over there somewhere......all mixed in with **** links and such. But yes, it's what I'd call a textbook easy swap.....that is for the 63-66 cars. Schumacher sells mounts, you'll need a 187 oil pan and "MAYBE" a V8 center link. It might fit without it. The passenger side manifold drops in, but the driver's side.....there are two options there. The 68-69 b body HP driver's side manifold for one. Or a C body HP driver's side manifold. Either will need to be milled to bring the exhaust outlet in closer to the engine.....(I've seen 7 degrees, but like everything, I'm sure it's application specific) AND the 68-69 manifold needs the steering column outer cover cut all the way back to the firewall. Lastly, depending on your transmission choice, the pinch weld in the transmission tunnel where the firewall meets the tunnel MAY need to be flattened. I've seen both where they needed it and not needed it. Some things you're just gonna have to "find out".

 

[604B1duster]

Thanks Rusty, I have the early A Schumacher BB mounts and V8 center link. I planned to get some HP manifolds and I’ll be on the hunt for the 187 pan now also.
I’ll check out bigblockdart.com
Thanks for the info !

 

[Professor Fate]

Find a set of the "log style" exhaust manifolds, or at least the passenger side one.
Use that on the driver's side with the outlet facing forward. Not the highest performance option, and takes a bit of creative exhaust routing (what doesn't on an early A?), but it'll git 'er done.

 

[604B1duster]

Thanks I’ve seen that before, even with max wedge manifolds in an A. Not thrilled with it and would really like to try HP manifolds facing the rear

 

[RustyRatRod]

Thanks I’ve seen that before, even with max wedge manifolds in an A. Not thrilled with it and would really like to try HP manifolds facing the rear

They fit with surprisingly little effort.