Tech Question: Flathead Intakes...2 x 2, 3x2, or Slingshot?

I have a few options on intake manifolds for the 59A that is going in my 32 p/u.

My dad has offered an Offy 3x2. I could set that up with 97's on progressive linkage.

I am going for an late 40's/ early 50's theme, and a 2x2 setup seems more correct for the street.

I know where there is a Navarro wide spaced 2x2 and an Edelbrock Slingshot. The Slingshot would be my first choice for looks, but I don't think that one is available.

What would be my best set-up for the street?

Offy 3x2 Progressive?

Navarro wide spaced 2x2?

Is the Edelbrock Slingshot even streetable?

Of these options, what would you run, and why?


Or other suggestions?


Thanks,

Neal

 

The first manifold i used on my flathead (.080 over, isky 88 cam, mild porting...) was a 3X2 offy with 97's. Then i came across a Navarro 'Race model' 2X2. In a nutsack, what i found was the Navarro has better throttle response, but the offy wasn't as thirsty. If you want, shoot me an email and i can check my notes as to which jets i used in the transition.

 

Mike Bishop's very good book, "How to Build a Traditional Ford Hot Rod" has a good discussion on using dual 2's.

The roadster below belongs to a friend and it really runs good with the dual 2's.
Perhaps not as wide spaced as the one you have, but I'd go with the dual 2's if I was doing it.
This from a guy who ran three 2's on a very mild flathead.
It ran ok - straight linkage, 94's - but it would have been better with only two.

You'll note in the pic below there is a lot of clearance if you use an alternator.
Looks too, with this particular intake, a generator would work ok too.

 

THe Navarro will probably have the best all-around performance of the choices you gave but you need to find out if it's the "Race" version without the heat riser or the "street" version with the heat riser. You want the "Street" version. People will tell you you don't need it if you're in a warm climate, but they're wrong.

If it were me though and I was shooting for that early-early look, I'd go with the slingshot. You'll get pretty decent performance, and you get to keep the generator straight-up (the Navarro doesn't have the mounting flange).
I think that would be a *****in setup!

Ditch the 3-2s. You can make it work but it's over-kill and won't look right on an early-era engine.

I just reread your post and realize you're shooting for the late 40's/early 50's. In that case the Slingshot won't be exaclty correct for the era (slingshot being prewar and immediately after the war). I think a lot of guys were over-carbed by the start of the 50s, so the 3-2 might look right. The Navarro would be right for the era too. Most guys with hot flatty's were running supers or 3-2s from what I've seen of early 50's flats.

 

2 97's on a block letter Edelbrock with no heat riser. Theve been bullit proof for me on the street.

 

Hi,
I have a couple of combinations on my car lately. When I first got it running, I had a stock aluminum manifold with a two carb adaptor. I loved how it looked! It also worked well enough to take me to bonneville and back in forth to work for months. When the weather started to turn just a little bit cooler I began to have problems. After I had driven through the fog at around 6:00 am on the way to work one day I had a scary episode starring iced up carbs and frozen solid linkage. I took the adaptor off and ran just the stock set-up. WOW! Did it run great. I just couldn't take the look. Sort of like Mom' motor. I then tried a 3 x2 edelbrock running just the center carb. I know many people go this route, I didn't like the idea of running something based on how it looked. Block off plates that look like carbs didn't seem right for my car. I was lucky and found a trade deal on a fenton 2x2. (Thanks Guido.) With carb heat and wide spacing, I have found the perfect set-up for me.
Oh, my motor is as far as I can tell a stock 239 inside except for adjustable lifters.
David

 

Before I get into a lot of typing, what has been done to that engine Neal?

 

What kind of results can be expected by installing an intake like this on a mild flatty???

 

What kind of results can be expected by installing an intake like this on a mild flatty???

Not much. Those things were a joke and only ****ers bought them from little mag ads.
Hard to believe that today they are collector items!
The best basic setup is still a wide spaced dual, carbs and jets selected based on the engine.

 

Don't tell P.J. that! I was trying to sell him one!

alchemy

 

[ QUOTE ]
Before I get into a lot of typing, what has been done to that engine Neal?


[/ QUOTE ]

Pretty much stock 59A. It is a runner that I got from my dad. He had rebuilt it and ran it in a truck. He kept the engine, sold the truck. I think it is .030 over, and it has a 49-53 crank and rods. It will get some sort of an aftermarket cam, headers and an intake. Thats about it.

Neal

 

That almquist is neat, and seriously would not be a great performance piece, but rather a great conversation piece.

 

Neal, since it is still pretty much a 239 then you will need to stay small with the carbs.

Pre 8BA style 94's will be perfect with power valves of 5.5. You may need to go down a size or two in jets but get it all tuned and running first.

If you want to start off cheap then get a stock 49-53 Merc intake and mount a Rochester 2G; you will feel the difference. Get a bit creative with the Merc and mount a 57 Ford and up Holley 2300 or similar Autolite which are a dime a dozen up thru the Y Block & SBF family.

 

the slingshot is a great performer, looks unique and you can use a generator in the stock position.

 

Another 11 year old post brought back from the dead. I wonder if Nealin has figured out his flathead yet?