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Old Nov 29, 2008 | 01:48 PM
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Default Intake question

I have a question concerning the correctness of my intake manifold. The born date for my car is approx August 21, 1956. The manifold is a winters # 3731394 (Two Fours) and a casting nuner of 6-7 but it's an early production because it has the four holes for each carb and I have been told that my intake manifold should be a later production with the same part number and the only difference being is three holes for each carburator instead of four holes. Please help and thanks in advance.
Ernie
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Old Nov 29, 2008 | 01:56 PM
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I believe that all 1956 2x4 manifolds have 4 holes. The 3 hole one started in 1957.

oWEN

Originally Posted by aztlanco
I have a question concerning the correctness of my intake manifold. The born date for my car is approx August 21, 1956. The manifold is a winters # 3731394 (Two Fours) and a casting nuner of 6-7 but it's an early production because it has the four holes for each carb and I have been told that my intake manifold should be a later production with the same part number and the only difference being is three holes for each carburator instead of four holes. Please help and thanks in advance.
Ernie
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Old Nov 29, 2008 | 02:30 PM
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Originally Posted by vintagecorvette
I believe that all 1956 2x4 manifolds have 4 holes. The 3 hole one started in 1957.

oWEN
Thanks Owen,, what about the casting date? does that fit into the equation?
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Old Nov 29, 2008 | 03:10 PM
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Hmmm....some references say there was a 3 hole version of your manifold in '56 (around February) for passenger cars (see Page 55 of http://books.google.com/books?id=lIz...um=4&ct=result).

Last edited by Frankie the Fink; Nov 29, 2008 at 03:38 PM.
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Old Nov 29, 2008 | 03:11 PM
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Your '56 is "late" production, and would normally have the 1394 intake with three-hole plenums; some very early 1394's have been seen with 4-hole plenums, but I wouldn't expect to see that on an August car. I wouldn't be concerned - you can't tell the 3-hole plenum manifold from the 4-hole plenum manifold unless you remove the air cleaners and crank the throttles wide open and get in there with a flashlight.
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Old Nov 29, 2008 | 03:34 PM
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Originally Posted by JohnZ
Your '56 is "late" production, and would normally have the 1394 intake with three-hole plenums; some very early 1394's have been seen with 4-hole plenums, but I wouldn't expect to see that on an August car. I wouldn't be concerned - you can't tell the 3-hole plenum manifold from the 4-hole plenum manifold unless you remove the air cleaners and crank the throttles wide open and get in there with a flashlight.
And a lot (most) of the the WCFB rebuild kits do not include the 3-hole gasket (I've had to order them separately in each case)....and had to fabricate my own Phenolic heat isolators to boot (see pic)!

Are you getting around to installing those correct '56 WCFB dual-quads you got from me ?!?
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Last edited by Frankie the Fink; Nov 29, 2008 at 03:37 PM.
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Old Nov 29, 2008 | 03:39 PM
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Thanks to Frank and John Z.
I guess I will start looking for a manifold with the three hole plenum just to feel better knowing that I have the right one and then maybe sell the one I have now. My fears have been confirmed,, thanks again gentlemen.
Ernie
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Old Nov 29, 2008 | 03:43 PM
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Originally Posted by fdreano
And a lot (most) of the the WCFB rebuild kits do not include the 3-hole gasket (I've had to order them separately in each case)....and had to fabricate my own Phenolic heat isolators to boot (see pic)!

Are you getting around to installing those correct '56 WCFB dual-quads you got from me ?!?
That's right Frank. It's my winter project but now I have to find the right intake. I might still have questions for you when I get around to the install. Thanks again,,,
Ernie
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Old Nov 29, 2008 | 04:04 PM
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No problem - just remember to crank those extra idle air bypass screws tightly shut and only adjust engine idle speed via the rear carb throttle idle speed screw or you'll go nuts (see the '56 carb service guide I sent you if you still have it.)

This guy has a correctly numbered manifold (doesn't say if its 3 or 4 holes tho): http://www.lightningspeedshop.com/4-...or-sale-wo.htm.

I've had some good luck just asking in the Want-To-Buy section of this forum for rare parts...

Last edited by Frankie the Fink; Nov 29, 2008 at 04:10 PM.
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