For what it’s worth, the new line of Edelbrock Air Gap intakes also come without the heat provision under the plenum.  Simply comes down to there not being much point in having an “Air Gap” intake if the bottom is going to be insulated or heated by a crossover chamber.  Other than being used for a ‘hot box’ for the old style vacuum pull through chokes and for initial warmup of the carb, the heated crossovers can be eliminated.  Although of some benefit in the cooler climates depending upon ones driving habits and the specific application, the crossovers are more of a hindrance in many cases in warm or hot weather.  Electric chokes have been a way of life for over thirty years now so that’s definitely not a reason to retain the heated crossover provision.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

Paul, let me add that down the road, with enough interest, he may cast a seperate cast iron crossover to mount under the plenum. Similar to the Pontiac HO's of the late '60's.

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart) 

Thanks Eddie,

I love that old truck, I drive it everywhere. I know all of guys on this site are aware of the great performance and reliability in the "Ys", but I would just like to say that this truck is not just for show. I run it out to the desert for Charlies races 4 times a year (420 mile round trip) 70 mph down the highway very comfortably. Then it's always seen at the Home Depot or Lowes on the weekend, I once hauled a kit for a cedar garden shed home, very heavy, with the rear axle almost on the bumpers. And it hauls our 1500 lbs Alaskan camper to the coast and the mountains with very little effort and gets 12 mpg.

Oh well, enough bragging for now. I wanted to add that I run a stock "B" manifold with a Barry Grant carb on a one inch spacer (I would like to try a Blue Thunder) with ported ECZ-G heads (2.02" IN and 1,6" EX) and I'm very pleased with the performance. As for the choke, it dosen't get much colder than 20* F here in the winter, I have a manual that I removed the plate from and just use the fast idle cam for warm-up. I usually give it about four pumps on a cold day and she fires right off, sometimes I have to pump a couple of times while running till a little heat comes then I walk away with the idle about 1500 till she has warmed up.

   God Bless.   Tim                           http://yblockguy.com/

350ci Y-Block FED "Elwood", 301ci Y-Block Unibody LSR "Jake", 312ci Y-Block '58 F-100, 338ci Y-Block powered Model A Tudor

tim@yblockguy.com  Visalia, California    Just west of the Sequoias

Hey Tim;;  Just gotta say--  That's a great lookin' truck you have!!!   Thanks for all the info.  God Bless  Eddie

Eddie

Lake Forest, Ca. 92630

Just my two cents, but for a stock or mild street engine the "B" intake is fine and they are readlly available. If you want too increase proformance or loose weight then the Blue Thunder is an option and a improved copy of the factory intake. As Frank has said I'm not trying to put words in Mummerts mouth, but I think that John's thinking with this new intake was not to copy Ford's design, but come out with something that is better. I'm sure that he is looking for a unit that will work well with the new alum heads and have the ability to improve and modify it as needed. Plus I'm sure that it will be cheaper to produce. On the subject of carb's, I have a shelf full of orginal 57 carbs, Carters, Holleys, and the Ford type four barrel. For what it cost to have one of these restored, I can buy a new Holley or Grant demon that will out perform any of the factory carbs. Lets just trust John on this one, I'm betting we are going to see some awsome numbers when he gets this setup on the dyno,

Glen Henderson



Freedom is not Free

Letohatchee, AL

My Dad had a Ford Courier pickup '75 and it had a manual choke that would release when the engine got to a certain temp.

   God Bless.   Tim                           http://yblockguy.com/

350ci Y-Block FED "Elwood", 301ci Y-Block Unibody LSR "Jake", 312ci Y-Block '58 F-100, 338ci Y-Block powered Model A Tudor

tim@yblockguy.com  Visalia, California    Just west of the Sequoias

Well it's John's call, but new carbs cost $500 & electric conversions aren't cheap either. And where I come from in the Northwest, much of the year, having a choke is very helpful...

Paul

And, there is always the venerable "hand choke". I once had a Honda motorcycle with a nifty spring-loaded choke mechanism. Cable friction/drag was pre-set (or adjustable?) to release the butterfly slowly from the effects of engine vibration. Some new cars still came from the factory with a manual choke as late as the early 60s.

6 VOLTS/POS. GRD. NW INDIANA

Paul,

       I shouldn't speak for John here, but I will. He thinks most folks who go for the manifold will probably use a later Carb (Holley/Edelbrock) which will already have an electric choke or one available. Also, most of us don't drive the cars in the winter any how.   

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart) 

I'm a bit surprised that the new proposed intake,which is supposed to be more street friendly, as I understand it, has no heat provision at all. His comment in YBM was that he didn't expect Y-blk engines to be driven much in snow storms. However, not everyone lives in Calif. Looking at the photo of the new manifold, it appears there is no provision for heat to the choke either. Therefore, for many owners it will require a choke conversion to a manual or an electric setup. Or am I missing something here?..

Paul