History The 6x2 Intake Manifold. When was it introduced?

I have dug through 6x2 thread after 6x2 thread until I just couldn't take anymore. So I thought I would just ask.

When was the 6x2 intake manifold introduced to the after-market parts industry? And I don't mean garage creations. I mean production models. Seems there were several makes and styles. Edelbrock, Weiand, Cragar, Offy, (just to name a few) and even Crower got in on the action with a "U-fab" type log manifold.

Styles seem to be full-plenum type manifolds like the X1, X3, and the low rise type used on engines with no valley cover (SBC, etc.). Seems like the log type were most popular with a low rise and high rise style made available.

But WHEN!? When did this happen? From pictures it seems late 50's or early 60's. Were they available on a production basis earlier?

Just something I've been thinking about for awhile. Maybe someone can shed some light or even share some catalog pages that might tell us more.

Thanks for any info! Sorry if this is a lame topic. I don't have enough grey in my beard to know some of this stuff... Just trying to learn a thing or two. Good to know where we've been and why.

 

Funny I was wondering the same thing Scootie Tang not 5 mins ago....weird!

 

1958 honest Charlies catalog lists 3 different brands

Weiand

Cragar

McGurk

Not all makes though.

 

My Weiand 6-2 nailhead intake has 59 stamped in it can barely see it but its there

 

**cough** I've been looking for a big block Mopar 6x2 forever it seems like! **cough**

 

Great info!

I was talking with the Alliance Vendor that sells the Offy stuff, a couple years ago, but can't remember his HAMB name (fox something or something fox, I think) and he mentioned that his grandfather had a hand in the design of the Offy log manifolds. He told me a date, but I simply can't remember what he told me. For some reason I want to think it was 1954, but that doesn't seem right.

BTTT.

 

Doesn't sound wrong to me... if they were out and available '58-'59 or earlier, no reason '54 was design and testing.

 

True, true....

 

Nothing in any of my catalogs prior to the 58 catalog shown.

My 55 Edelbrock catalog has 3 deuce intakes and valve covers for the brand new 265 so R&D didn't take too much time.

 

...'58 was the earliest I could find as far as adds in hot rod mags...

 

I found an ad for the Crower U-Fab manifold in the May 1955 Hot Rod magazine, page 47. It was for Olds, Cad and Chrysler. Says if you can run 4 carbs on a flathead or other engine no reason not to run 6 carbs on a big rocker arm V-8. In other ads and articles the Henslee and Cook roadster set top speed records in 1955 with the manifold and Mel heath won the 1956 NHRA nationals running one. Both were Chryslers.

Since the ad ran in May 1955 it had to be ready for print production in about March of 1955 and I would guess that the manifold was being physically produced and tested in late 1954 or very early 1955.

Jerome

 

Wow! I was always thinking that the Crower U-fab would have come AFTER the production units. Very interesting!

So the idea was at least there in '55... I'm curious to see what the heck else you guys come up with! Keep it coming!

 

earliest cast 6x2's Ive seen are around 1958

 

When Mr. Fields speaks all should listen. Wise beyond his years!!!

I have a feeling that the 6x2 was probably a 1958-on item interms of the cast units and availability. And then even then they were geared more toward Comp driven cars. However the Crower Fab unit ad is interesting. Any way to scan that in?

 

Here is the ad. It makes sense that a "universal" kit would be introduced before anyone would commit to casting a manifold dedicated to a specific engine. Also the market for cast manifolds was many, many times larger for street cars than for pure competition cars.

Jerome

 

In 1954 at the Paradise Mesa Drag Strip (SDTA) I saw a 6 X 2 on a Chrysler 331 owned by the Gareth Bros. who raced out of LADS Drag strip in Los Angeles. The called the car the "Hun." It was impressive for that time. I don't remember who made the intake manifold but later that year a Ardun conversion Ford flathead showed up with another 6 X 2 and it too ran good times.
Normbc9

 

Wow! Very cool!!! Thank you for sharing that!

 

Awesome info guys!!!!! Thanks so much. It is settled then.

 

I believe this is a Crower U-Fab as it is brazed and seemed to be very old looking. It has never been run as I had to redo the crossover tubes, they were located wrong (not straight across and not drilled through). The original x-overs were 1.0 inch tubes. I made them 1.5 inch. This, of course is an 8x2.

 

The 1955 ad indicated the U-fab could be built as a 4 carb or 6 carb manifold. Not too long after that I remember Don Garlits as being one of the first to run 8 carbs on his unblown Chrysler.

Jerome

 

'Flipping through some magazines and found this ad. From a 1958 Hot Rod...September I think, but they probably ran the ad since January, maybe?

 

U-Fab made them in 1955 I know. We had one on our 1955 Caddy powered dragster

 

Dude! How about unlocking that Hemi pic so I can click on it???? Thanks bud!

 

Here is a 6 X 2 on a Ford factory Special race car 312 in late '56 and it was at the Ford Pico Rivera plant Racing Division office.
Normbc9

 

This may be slightly off topic for this thread, but I searched and couldn't find anything else relating to this, I can start a separate thread if needed. What aftermarket multi-carb intakes were available in 1955 and earlier other than the u-fabs?

Thanks,
Mike

 

"In 1949 Weiand introduced a series of "tri-power" and four 2-barrel manifolds and immediately after WWII Weiand debuted a line of aluminum cylinder heads for flathead Ford engines. The famous "Drag Star" line of "log" manifolds for Hemi engines was introduced in 1952 and in 1957 Weiand developed complete blower drives for the GMC 6-71 supercharger. The first dual plane, 180º intake came from Weiand in 1965, known as the "Colt" and in 1968 Weiand introduced the "Hi-Ram Manifold" and its patented D-port technology."

That is a qoute taken off of the Weiand website. Does anybody remember seeing these intakes available that early? I am also curious if anybody happens to know a rough timeline for when each style of the drag star may have been produced, there are several different logo layouts that I have seen. Here are a couple versions for the chrysler. Is there one that is suited better for the earlier wet intake engines and one that is for the later engines?

 

Hi there I see you have a 1955 Edelbrock catalouge, I have a Edelbrock single four barrell manifold, called a Quad Jet,
fits a 241 Dodge hemi, also have a set of 6x2 Weiand log maniflods and am wondering what years they first were made?
I know these are fairly rare manifolds, the Weiand Drag Star pair are the wet manifolds with water passagesthru manifold. haven't found a date yet, but may find one yet? The Drag Star's are for a Dodge 315/325 Hemi, go the mighty Mopars!

 

An old thread, here is a reference to old manifolds with links to photos

 

Brett Wells : Tommy is playing hot rods in a different arena these days. Sadly he is no longer with us.

 

In 61 I had an alumn 6 carb for a 371 olds. Had 94s on it.It was in a 52 chevy. I don't remember the brand. In the mid to late 50s the U Fab intakes were a kit and sold for less than 20 bucks.