1937 aluminum intake problems
 

I have a 1937 ford pickup that I’ve been using aluminum intake manifolds on and for some reason it keeps burning holes in the back of them or cracking am I doing something wrong or is some repair for this? Thanks

Re: 1937 aluminum intake problems
 

Well Derek, an aluminum manifold made in 1937 is now 84 years old....I too have experienced this problem...one easy solution is to plug the heat riser holes each side of the manifold, either in the block, or in the manifold, or keep trying different manifolds until you find one that works...and welcome, how about some photos of your 37?

Re: 1937 aluminum intake problems
 

Derek, Brian has offered a workable solution, for which I can elaborate and also offer a compromise solution...
The heat riser holes in the block are of a size that matches nicely with a penny, to be gently tapped into each of the two holes. Due to the alloys of modern pennies, a wheatstalk penny is recommended.

As this fix may cause unwanted consequences, I have a compromise solution to offer...
Do as advised above, but also, drill a 1/8" hole in the center of each penny.

Re: 1937 aluminum intake problems
 

A bit of trivia :rolleyes: ......if you can't find a US wheatback, or wheatstalk penny, you can use a US memorial back penny minted from 1959 to 1981, which is the same composition as the "wheaties" pennies. US pennies made after 1982 are 95% zinc and will not withstand the exhaust heat or work for very long.

Re: 1937 aluminum intake problems
 

Okay thanks for the information I’ll try to figure out how to put a picture of the truck on here this is my first time using it. I tried the penny trick a year ago but the truck wanted to run really rough and had to be about half choke to run. I thought maybe it was a vacuum leak so I put a gauge on it and it had lots of vacuum. Would drilling the 1/8” hole in the penny help this?

Re: 1937 aluminum intake problems
 

I plugged the heat riser on my 221 with core plugs driven into the block. Those do not melt or blow out.

Re: 1937 aluminum intake problems
 

Yes

Re: 1937 aluminum intake problems
 

Okay perfect thanks I’m going to try it out right away!

Re: 1937 aluminum intake problems
 

I have another good one but is it at all possible to fix the ones that have burned the holes in them?

Re: 1937 aluminum intake problems
 

As a side, in the day, the year of the penny used was your birth year.

Re: 1937 aluminum intake problems
 

My truckhttps://imgur.com/a/9XTOaUV

Re: 1937 aluminum intake problems
 

Re: 1937 aluminum intake problems
 

Nice looking '37 pickup. I've always felt the '37 PU had the best looking grille in the years from '35 to '39.

Re: 1937 aluminum intake problems
 

Thanks that’s awesome I’m working on bringing it back to 100% original I have the frame and motor all fixed up just like new

Re: 1937 aluminum intake problems
 

Nice truck! looks like that grill could be fixed with some skillful tinkering

Re: 1937 aluminum intake problems
 

Ya actually I bought a 1937 2 ton the rest of the truck was destroyed but the grill or any of the Chrome was perfect pretty amazing. Just waiting for the right time to put it on

Re: 1937 aluminum intake problems
 

https://imgur.com/a/Yc4cpjh
I’m not sure if it worked or not but this is the new grill

Re: 1937 aluminum intake problems
 

Re: 1937 aluminum intake problems
 

Dereck, that's a good lookin' truck, but i believe your front bumper is on upside down.
Tom

Re: 1937 aluminum intake problems
 

[QUOTE=hotcoupe;2062660]Dereck, that's a good lookin' truck, but i believe your front bumper is on upside down.
Tom[/QUOTE

You now I think your right I’ve never even noticed that my great uncle had the truck before me and put it on. So is the back bumper supposed to be the same way up as the front one?