In an attempt to do something different with a small block Chevy I saw this marine manifold on Ebay for a Speed Skiff hydroplane race boat and was wondering how well it might work for a Hot Rod engine.
You'll either need to machine the carb mounting surfaces or shim it up with machined spacers to a satisfactory level so the floats in the carbs are level. The marine set up is totally different from automotive set up. In marine application the engine mounts down in the front as opposed to down in the rear when in a car. The carbs will be angled severely off tilt and angled back, not upright.
I can understand your desire to have something different, but I think it would be a lot of work to get that one working right on a street motor. The carbs are angled the wrong way for starters (If I am right an ***uming that the water necks are on the back of the intake...........I say that because I see the threaded hole on that end to hold the distributor down) Plus, his starting bid is $160 and you can pick up a proper tripower intake for about that or a little more. I think it would be a lot of work for something most people wouldn't even notice. Don
Besides the carbs angled the wrong way, the water outlets are on the back side of the engine. Not too cool having your radiator hoses running over the top of your valve covers blocking the "view".
I'm thinking its a cool piece but will likely give you all sorts of obstacles to overcome at very turn.
Appears to be early Chris-Craft judging from the color. Engine probably was distributor to bow, either was V drive or direct from crank snout. If it is aluminum and run in salt water would not be a wise choice.
Good point, I completely forgot about the float level in the bowls and you'd also have to find a marine water pump too. I have however seen a '32 ford at Back to The 50's with the radiator in the trunk and the hoses plumbed through the frame
BTW, "something different" and "small block Chevy" in the same sentence is in the hot rod dictionary as an example of a contradiction/oxy*****. Using that manifold in a rear-drive build would be akin to puttin' yer jeans on backwards and walkin' through the car show. Everyone would notice and think, "They don't fit well that way; and how drunk was he?" Now, look in the dictionary under different, SBC and crazy; there'd be a picture of how, if you turned the engine front-to-back and tilted it so the manifold carb pads were level and ran it to a front-wheel-drive, you'd get lots more WTF?? jack vines jack vines
Maybe someone will think its a flathead. That actually is an easy fix, the carb bases would be a little more difficult. Well maybe a little more technical would be a better way of saying it. But unless this is a part on the shelf that will cost nothing but the mods it is not worth the effort.
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