I've found some info about intake manifolds. the ones with the angled carb mount are open drive intakes and the ones where the carb mounts parallel to the intake mounting surface are torque tube intakes (8ba). I am mounting an 8ba to a 35 rear with a torque tube, 39 3speed, F1 cross member in a model A. The crossmember puts the rear of the trans too high for the carb to sit level with the open drive type intake. I don't have an 8ba torque tube intake (did ford make one or is 49 up all open drive?) I have also heard that the torque tube can not be angled downward in the front because all the rear end grease will flow down the torque tube. I have also read that the optimum angle of the torque tube would have the crank in as straight a line with the torque tube as possible. I'm sure that I can find a happy medium between the carb level, dropping the F1 crossmember and making sure that the torque tube is not pitched forward. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/another-way-to-hack-an-f1-cross-member.1100712/ I also plan to go back to the F1 frame and see what the height relationship is between the motor mount and crossmember. The model A frame has 5 leaves in the back with a drop main leaf and the front has some leaves removed with a drop main. 35 axle and the frame rakes about 1 degree forward with weight on it. My question is... Can anyone add more info or experience to my info so far OR are there any drawings or posts that that cover any of this. I want to use the angled intake because it is an aluminum canadian 8ba intake. Did the aftermarket high performance intake manufacturers offer an angled or flat? Thanks
As you have found out, torque tube drivelines are absolutly critical on alignment for several reasons. Get that right first and make everything else fit.
Someone used to sell an aluminum angled plate to go under the carb on an 8BA manifold. That made the carb sit more upright. I have one on one of my cars and I can't remember where I bought it. You would need longer carb studs to use a spacer. Phenolic spacers are available. You can find one about 3/8" thick and carefully sand an angle to suit. You might want to go with a 1/2" one to make up for any flatness issues from sanding. Using a base gasket for a pattern, a machine shop could whip you out a nice aluminum one, no problem.
I think you are overthinking this. Make the car look cool, and worry about the rearend fluid less. You can check it periodically, and if it really seems to be a big problem you can install one of those seal kits at the rear of the torquetube. I've never seen an aftermarket flathead intake with an angle to the carb bases, other than a marine intake. Stromberg floats pivot on the side, so rake shouldn't cause much if any problems.
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