"Special" Intake Manifold?

[Mike1291]

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

[Chris Haynes]

1933 Model B.

[Charlie Stephens]

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

Charlie Stephens

[rackops]

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.

[Randy in ca]

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

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[Bob C]

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

[Mike1291]

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?

[oldspert]

Originally Posted by Randy in ca

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

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

[Hitman]

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.

[Phil Brown]

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

[alexiskai]

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.

[Randy in ca]

Originally Posted by oldspert

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

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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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[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by Randy in ca

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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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JMO, If that two bladed fan comes apart, there will be a lot more parts that are not original. I think I would change it out and save the original fan.

Nice car tho.

[Mike1291]

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?

[alexiskai]

Originally Posted by Mike1291

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?

[Keith True]

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.

[Benson]

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.

[Benson]

Originally Posted by Keith True

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.

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.

[Mike1291]

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?

[Lincolnville]

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.