Aluminum is an easy fix.
Intake dilemma!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 335
Likes: 14
From: Fort Wayne Indiana
Intake dilemma!
Ok so I've run into trouble on my intake for the 68 L71. Original intake casting 3919852 went to shop for blasting but they said it had some cracks in the casting!
I have another tri-power square port intake...but found out its from a 67 435 car casting 3894374.
I understand the 67 was a high rise. I have an L88 hood on the car as it sits, can the 67 intake be used in a 68? If so would manifold gaskets be for a 68 or 67? Or are the ports identical, just the rise difference?
I really hope I'm not in need of a new intake immediately. Help!
I have another tri-power square port intake...but found out its from a 67 435 car casting 3894374.
I understand the 67 was a high rise. I have an L88 hood on the car as it sits, can the 67 intake be used in a 68? If so would manifold gaskets be for a 68 or 67? Or are the ports identical, just the rise difference?
I really hope I'm not in need of a new intake immediately. Help!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Where are the cracks? If someone got busy and cracked the 4 upper bolt holes (common) it's not a real big deal. Get them welded and drive on. Unless you're really concerned about original appearance, if it's not broken into pieces it can mostly be repaired.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 335
Likes: 14
From: Fort Wayne Indiana
I haven't picked it up from the shop but he said its cracked under the oil splash shield when he took it off. It had some serious pitting so I was concerned already. But I thought I was fine with a back up intake. Imagine my surprise on the casting numbers. But now to see if they're compatible
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Under the splash shield- get it welded, put the splash shield back on and call it a day. Nobody but you will ever know and for sure the engine won't care. It's probably cracked along the exhaust crossover.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Tell the shop that you want your intake back. If they give you any "stuff", they are attempting to steal it from you. Otherwise, recover it and take it to a good welder. If you don't know one, call around to some car clubs....they will make recommendations.
Since the cracking wasn't obvious to you, there is no reason why it can't be repaired....even if it requires some minor machining to refinish a flat surface or redrill/tap some threaded holes.
Since the cracking wasn't obvious to you, there is no reason why it can't be repaired....even if it requires some minor machining to refinish a flat surface or redrill/tap some threaded holes.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Will it work? Yes. But, a 1968 [dated] factory intake for an L71 car is nothing to sneeze at. That vintage of aluminum tri-power intake is getting about $1500 on eBay. It's pretty easy to make a case for repairing it...especially if the repairs won't be visible.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 335
Likes: 14
From: Fort Wayne Indiana
Ok so here is the damaged area on the 68 intake. The crack is very small and the least of my problems. What are some thoughts from the group on this damage? Its all under the splash guard. Are there fillers that can be used on those holes? Chances of repair?
Pro
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 672
Likes: 0
From: Chesapeake Virginia
there is a material that I have used in industrial applications that will work for this. it's called "Belzona Molecular", they have different types but I use the " 1111 supermetal". it's extremly heat and chemical resistant. you mix it like body filler but once hard, you have to use machine shop style tools to work it. it's pretty expensive and the only place I can find it is over the internet.
Last edited by Jig A Low; Feb 8, 2013 at 10:03 PM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,674
Likes: 122
From: Millington Illinois
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Epoxy. I used it on intake ports before and have fixed heads that I ported into the water jacket. I would bead blast the whole thing and put a layer of epoxy over the entire area the holes are at. If you don't feel comfortable with the epoxy you can have it welded up at a good welding shop. Aluminum is easily fixed. I have seen a Donovan aluminum block throw a rod and bust a hole in the block and it was fixed, rebuilt and no issues. That is an expensive intake as is the 67 intake. Worth fixing and using. The 67 intake is worth more and you will have clearance issues with it. Sell it for about $2000.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 848
Likes: 60
From: CA
Not sure that can even be salvaged.
Ed
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
It sure can! Call Jerry MacNeish at 410-781-0418 and tell him Ed Bertrand from the Camaro Research Group referred you to him. He's a GENIUS when it comes to aluminum repair. Check out THIS PAGE on his site. Espeically the 67 L71 intake that was in a car fire!
Ed
Ed
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,674
Likes: 122
From: Millington Illinois
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
It sure can! Call Jerry MacNeish at 410-781-0418 and tell him Ed Bertrand from the Camaro Research Group referred you to him. He's a GENIUS when it comes to aluminum repair. Check out THIS PAGE on his site. Espeically the 67 L71 intake that was in a car fire!
Ed
Ed
Racer
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 383
Likes: 21
From: Greenville Ohio
It sure can! Call Jerry MacNeish at 410-781-0418 and tell him Ed Bertrand from the Camaro Research Group referred you to him. He's a GENIUS when it comes to aluminum repair. Check out THIS PAGE on his site. Espeically the 67 L71 intake that was in a car fire!
Ed
Ed