I tried doing a search to no avail, heres my questions. 1. I have an edelbrock tripower #349 for a 49-53 flathead, what are the two holes in the front of the intake for (about an inch in diameter)? 2. Will this intake work on a 59ab block? 3. I also have a set of offy heads for a 49-53, will they work on a 59ab? Thanks for the help, if someone has a link to a previous post with info on this it would be appreciated also.
The two holes are for the crankcase breather 'road draft tube' and the other for the oil filler/breather. You can convert the 'draft tube' outlet to use a PCV valve. Question 2, I am not so certain about. However, careful examination and measurements should determine the answer to that. I seem to recall there is a difference in the vent/breather set up between the 'early' and 'late' flatheads. In the '49 to '53 there is a tube in the block valley chamber at the right front that matches with a hole in the underside of the manifold. I do not think that tube is in 59A engines. Aso, you need to check very carefully the fuel pump mounting flange height and the bolt patterns.......along with other critical measurements. I know you can use early heads on a late block, but have to plug a hole in the block at the front, I don't know if the reverse is doable. I know this doesn't adequately answer all your concerns, but hope it helps some. Ray
The only Edelbrock tri-power flathead Ford intakes I have, seen or know about are #359 for pre-48, and #349 for '49-'53 engines. I think the #553 is a small port Y-block intake. Maybe a picture would help with positive ID. Bob
All flathead intakes will interchange; HOWEVER.... The early '35-'48 engines vent by air entering the rear mounted breather/oil fill/fuel pump stand on the rear of the intake, moving down into the crankcase, up into the valve chest, and then down the front verticle tube and out the vent or road draft located on the front upper right of the oil pan. This front passage is part of the block casting from the stand pipe to the pan. The later '49-'53's (and '48 trucks) vent by air entering the oil fill/breather located on the front of the intake (second hole), moving through the valve chest, down into the crankcase at the rear, and up through the front verticle tube, into the front intake chamber, and out the first hole into the road draft pipe. Clear as mud??? One way to use a late intake on a early block is to use the '46-'48 59A fuel pump stand and breather, and plug the front road draft hole in the intake. Now the engine will vent normally. There are fuel pump/push rod/push rod bushing issues that need to be addressed. Another issue are the carb pads, being flat on earlier intakes, and angled about 3 degrees on all late Ford and Merc intakes. My opinion-If the early engine is in an early Ford, find an early intake, 'cause it's just simpler! As for heads, my info says the late heads can be fitted to early blocks if the front water hole is plugged on each head. Bob
I just purchased a early edelbrock dual carb intake from my girlfriends great uncle, it had been on his wall for years, it is block letters and it has the road draft tube and oil filler location on the front of the motor also, im going to run a 59ab motor and want to use this intake because ive got a heck of a deal in both $75 ( 59ab was giving to me from a friend of mine out of his running car when he switched it to a sbc and auto, and bought the intake for $75) V*Bob stated What issue needs to be addressed on the fuel pump/push rod/ push rod bushing? And do i cap up just the road draft tube and what do i do with the other hole up front? I have everything for the 59ab its complete motor so i have the 59ab fuel pump stand allready, just would like a little bit more details on how to make the intake work for me.