I am sure this question has come up before but, will the B intake accept modern Holley four barrels with no mods? I think I would rather run that than the tripower I was planning to run to save some tuning headaches.

Durham Missouri

Yes it will accept any later square bore 4 bbl. Don't forget you need to update the distributor if working with the original on a 54-56.You need the later dual advance with vacuum and centrifugal advance setup.

  

That leads to my second question then. I am using the MSD distributor. Will it clear the intake? If not does it take much grinding to clear it?

Durham Missouri

The MSD billet distributor clears the ECZ-B intake without issue.
 
The throttle bores on the ECZ-B intake carb flange will be too small for some of the larger sized carbs thus limiting the amount of carb opening if bolting the carb directly to the manifold.  While using the appropriate carb spacer will get around this, it’s best if the throttle bores in the intake’s carb flange are enlarged to make for a smoother transition from the carb to the intake.  Here’s the link to a previous Y-Block Magazine engine build article that goes into some detail on modifying the ECZ-B intake.
http://www.eatonbalancing.com/blog/2015/05/01/unported-iron-heads-can-still-make-over-a-hp-to-the-cubic-inch/

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

Thanks again Ted. I am planning on using a 600 cfm carb. Although the intake mods would be optimum. For simplicity I think a spacer would serve me best right now. I don't know if I would trust any of the local machine shops to do this. They probably see less than one y block a year on average. With that being said, where can I pick up a carb spacer that would fit my needs.

Durham Missouri

Opening the throttle bores is not a Y-Block specific thing.  Any reputable machine shop will be able to handle that easily.  If so inclined, you can manage to do it with a Dremel and 1/8" carbide burr or even better, a real die grinder.  Use a 4 hole or slotted gasket to scribe your line and remove material up to the line.



Lawrenceville, GA

Just my opinion but unless you are planning on a high performance/rpm engine I feel most people over carb. I'm using a 390 cfm Holley with the smaller venturi that match the throttle bores in the B manifold and 1/2" phenolic spacer. This is basically a stock 292 with E4 cam. Street and highway performance and mileage is great, I couldn't be happier.

Does anyone know if there is a intake gasket that blocks off the exhaust crossover? If I get a b intake I would like to have it powder coated and don't want the heat to discolor the paint.

Durham Missouri

I just cut a couple of pieces of thin Aluminum to cover the Crossover Ports and used a standard intake gasket.The cover goes against the head with a little silicone to hold it in place and then the Gasket goes in place.You can also buy the Gasket with the Port closed off or at least partially restricted. I am also using the 390 Holley Carb.

  

Intake gaskets for a 64 Ford F250 292 have the exhaust ports partially blocked with just a small hole to let exhaust pass through. Haven't purchased a set for a few years but got them at Napa Auto parts. Good application for a rebuilt distributor as well. Napa still lists both.

57 Black Tbird 312/auto