The Ford Barn

Zax40 · 06-30-2022, 10:46 AM

I currently have one of the early ~1937 aluminum intakes on the 59A in my '40 sedan. I am planning to swap on a later, Canadian CR7 aluminum intake.

The distributer vacuum brake connection currently connects to a threaded hole in the left front of the intake. Just below the third intake bolt on that side. The later intake does not have this threaded hole. Only a single on the back of the carb mounting surface.

Can I safely drill and tap the new intake for this connection? I believe it is 3/8-24.

Lawson Cox · 06-30-2022, 10:52 AM

You should be able to do that. Just make certain you are drilling at a proper location to get a vacuum. You will probably have to take the intake off unless you have another one to go by.

V8COOPMAN · 06-30-2022, 03:18 PM

.

You can't just drill a hole as some suggest. That factory location under that third bolt amounts to more than just a simple, tapped hole. The pictures BELOW should make the geometry of that FACTORY vacuum connection a little more obvious. That specific location also takes the firing order of the engine into account, as those two cylinders fire 360º apart from each other, making for a more-constant vacuum source for that one location. Coop

flatjack9 · 06-30-2022, 03:48 PM

Why not use the tapping on the back of the manifold?

Jack E/NJ · 06-30-2022, 05:36 PM

Buy or make a carb spacer with vacuum ports. The original ports on mine are plugged.

Zax40 · 07-01-2022, 10:23 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by flatjack9

Why not use the tapping on the back of the manifold?

Just trying to use what I have. Didn't want to have to buy and bend up another compression fitting tube. Plus I think it looks cleaner with the short tube to the front.

JayChicago · 07-01-2022, 10:37 AM

Seems to me I remember reading that Ford's fitting on the vacuum tube was something unique. Don't know if that applied to the thread pitch or the way the fitting seated to make a tight seal. There is no ferrel as you would see with a plumbing compression fitting.

cas3 · 07-01-2022, 10:45 AM

Yes, the Ford fitting is unique, and hard to find locally. If one were to go at it "home made" style, I would go to 1/8" pipe stuff that can be had from the hardware store

06-30-2022, 10:46 AM	#1
Zax40 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 302	Tapping intake for distributor vacuum connection I currently have one of the early ~1937 aluminum intakes on the 59A in my '40 sedan. I am planning to swap on a later, Canadian CR7 aluminum intake. The distributer vacuum brake connection currently connects to a threaded hole in the left front of the intake. Just below the third intake bolt on that side. The later intake does not have this threaded hole. Only a single on the back of the carb mounting surface. Can I safely drill and tap the new intake for this connection? I believe it is 3/8-24.

06-30-2022, 10:52 AM	#2
Lawson Cox Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Above the gnat line in Georgia Posts: 7,009	Re: Tapping intake for distributor vacuum connection You should be able to do that. Just make certain you are drilling at a proper location to get a vacuum. You will probably have to take the intake off unless you have another one to go by. __________________ Life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer to the end, the faster it goes. It is better to be seen, than viewed. "We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm".

06-30-2022, 03:18 PM	#3
V8COOPMAN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: East Shore of LAKE HOUSTON Posts: 11,106	Re: Tapping intake for distributor vacuum connection . You can't just drill a hole as some suggest. That factory location under that third bolt amounts to more than just a simple, tapped hole. The pictures BELOW should make the geometry of that FACTORY vacuum connection a little more obvious. That specific location also takes the firing order of the engine into account, as those two cylinders fire 360º apart from each other, making for a more-constant vacuum source for that one location. Coop __________________ *Click Links Below* __ ▼ *'35-'36 W/8BA & MECHANICAL FAN* *T5 W/TORQUE TUBE*

06-30-2022, 03:48 PM	#4
flatjack9 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oshkosh, Wi Posts: 4,526	Re: Tapping intake for distributor vacuum connection Why not use the tapping on the back of the manifold?

06-30-2022, 05:36 PM	#5
Jack E/NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,173	Re: Tapping intake for distributor vacuum connection Buy or make a carb spacer with vacuum ports. The original ports on mine are plugged.

07-01-2022, 10:37 AM	#7
JayChicago Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Chicago Posts: 728	Re: Tapping intake for distributor vacuum connection Seems to me I remember reading that Ford's fitting on the vacuum tube was something unique. Don't know if that applied to the thread pitch or the way the fitting seated to make a tight seal. There is no ferrel as you would see with a plumbing compression fitting.

07-01-2022, 10:45 AM	#8
cas3 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: sw minnesota Posts: 4,567	Re: Tapping intake for distributor vacuum connection Yes, the Ford fitting is unique, and hard to find locally. If one were to go at it "home made" style, I would go to 1/8" pipe stuff that can be had from the hardware store