"Special" Intake Manifold?
 

I recently had a member of my club take a look at my car and he noticed that I had a non-standard intake manifold on my engine. Even though he's been around Model As for 60 years he wasn't familiar with this one. He told me to do some research on it so I'm going to cheat a little and ask you guys as to what it is :)

Re: "Special" Intake Manifold?
 

1933 Model B.

Re: "Special" Intake Manifold?
 

I wonder if he has a "B" carb to match? That would explain why it was added.

Charlie Stephens

Re: "Special" Intake Manifold?
 

It looks like the engine has a Model B exhaust manifold?

The intake manifold is kind of an odd type that seems to be like one of the unusual "unfinished" right hand drive manifolds.

Re: "Special" Intake Manifold?
 

Intake looks somewhat different than that on a friends 1933 Model B.

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https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...3&d=1713208605

Re: "Special" Intake Manifold?
 

I think what you are seeing is a late 31 exhaust manifold.
https://www.fordgarage.com/pages/exmancompare.htm

Re: "Special" Intake Manifold?
 

Here's a picture of the exhaust manifold for those interested. My engine's VIN indicates that it was made in Feb. '31. But I believe that you are right about it being a late '31 exhaust manifold. But what about the intake?

Re: "Special" Intake Manifold?
 

Looks like your friend needs to change his two blade fan.

Re: "Special" Intake Manifold?
 

It looks aftermarket for an A.

B manifolds used in 32-34 are distinctly different as shown in the pictures posted by Randy. There are different versions of the B manifold, but this isn't one of them.

Re: "Special" Intake Manifold?
 

I was thinking maybe originally from some kind of industrial engine.

Re: "Special" Intake Manifold?
 

My crazy speculative theory is that this is a 28/29 RHD intake manifold, extensively modified. The boss for the vacuum port is in the same location as the boss on RHD intakes where the bell crank mounts (part of the spark advance linkage). Perhaps someone (or multiple someones) added a boss on the top of the intake for the purpose of adding a vacuum port there, but then either changed their mind or filled it in afterward, and subsequently modified the bell crank mount to be the vacuum port instead.

Re: "Special" Intake Manifold?
 

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The owner is aware of the hazards of two blade fans, however he wishes to keep the vehicle as original as possible. It is only driven occasionally and he inspects the fan regularly.

This 1933 has been in the same family since new. One notable thing about it is the extremely rare original spare tire cover (artificial leather/pyroxylin cloth). A well known expert has deemed this to be an ultra-rare early Ford part.

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https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...5&d=1713236460

Re: "Special" Intake Manifold?
 

Re: "Special" Intake Manifold?
 

I tried finding pictures of a RHD intake manifold on Google but I couldn't find anything. Do we think that's what this might be?

Re: "Special" Intake Manifold?
 

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...379eb9fd42.jpg

Re: "Special" Intake Manifold?
 

Wasn't there a manifold cast with a boss for a vacuum tap for a clutch assist? I know it was something that never came about though.I can't remember where I read it.Seems I read about it when I had bought a dozen or so B manifolds,and were trying to sort out the differences and the applications for them.

Re: "Special" Intake Manifold?
 

Looks like a RHD intake where someone cut the stud off the manifold then drilled and tapped hole to install vacuum line.

Normally that is the place where the bell crank for the linkage for spark advance is found on RHD cars

From the rough casting it was likely made in Argentina.

Re: "Special" Intake Manifold?
 

Yes the vacuum port for assisted clutch was a large threaded hole found at the front of manifold.


The vacuum unit was mounted on Drivers side (other side of engine) on early B blocks of LHD cars on a pad with two drilled and threaded holes in the block.

The project never made it to production and was dropped in early 1932.

Re: "Special" Intake Manifold?
 

If this is as you say it is, then what does one look like if the vehicle had vacuum wipers? Did they have a vacuum port somewhere else?

Re: "Special" Intake Manifold?
 

I've posted a picture of both the early and later, installed on the engine - the more common version of the 1932 Model B Manifold. The vacuum port to run the windshield wipers was moved from the right side to the left side.