C3B Edelbrock Manifold for 327/350

[Richard D.]

A friend of mine has offered me an aluminum Edelbrock Manifold from his C-2 that's in good shape, and looks better that the polished high rise no name manifold I now have on my 68 (he found a correct manifold for his engine). It has the oil fill tube provision for the front of the manifold, that the no name one does not have and I think it would look better on my engine.

I'm considering swapping it on until I can find a correct one for my 68 327/350 but it doesn't have the mount bolt holes for coil bracket.

Does anyone out there know what I can expect in terms of performance from this manifold, and if there's an aftermarket bracket that I can get to mount the coil on the manifold?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Regards,

Rich

[Todd H 26112]

Re: C3B Edelbrock Manifold for 327/350

FWIW I have swapped between a stock OE iron dual plane mani and an Edelbrock Performer dual plane mani - I cannot honestly say there was ANY notable 'seat of the pants' difference making just that single swap. IMO two advatnages of such a mani in my scenario is it's easier to port match and lighter. But that doesn't necessarily apply in your case. Obviously don't know anything about yoru 'generic' current unit but I think on a basic bolt in swaparoo might not notice much of any notable seat of the pants difference. Maybe w/ a lot of fine tuning and the right heads and carb and such you'd notice a difference w/ such a swap...?

The reason you site for the swap is as good as any. There is perhaps the 'cool' factor of having a 'branded' mani too I suppose. I'm a little surprised it doesn't have a provision for the coil mount. But if there is a boss cast in it there you could be daring and drill and tap fairly easily w/ aluminum. But I'd make awfully sure before drilling ... !

So in summary I'm punting not knowing much about the design and config of your generic unit or which model Performer you have.

If you bother to go thru w/ the swap - check the thread below re end seals...

Good luck,

[Richard D.]

Re: C3B Edelbrock Manifold for 327/350

Todd:

Thanks a bunch for your insight.

I should have put the manifold Mod. # in the body of the message too, it's a C3B model, I think it was a faily popular older Edlebrock one from a few years ago.

I've sent an inquiry in to Edelbrock to see if they can get me any info. on it.

Yeah, if it did have the bosses for the bolt holes, I would have no problem drilling and tapping holes, but it doesn't.

Maybe it's specific for another Chevy application with another coil location, maybe a Camaro or Nova.

Thanks again for the info,and the reminder on the end seals.

Rich

[David D.]

Re: C3B Edelbrock Manifold for 327/350

Richard, I don't know is this will help you or not, but if not, may give you some ideas. I have the same C3B manifold on a 1973 350 engine in a 1966 Corvette driver. The C3B manifold is designed for a remote (firewall, etc.) mounted ignition coil. I also wanted to mount it on the manifold and still be able to use the stock ignition shielding. I ended up using a repro 1966 coil bracket, which mounts on the passenger side of the distributor(not sure where it mounts on a 1968). I mounted it on the manifold, and found that it was not very stable. The midyear factory GM small block manifolds have a pad machined in them, with a recessed area at the bolt hole to stabilize the bracket, which the C3B does not have. I ended up adding a piece of sheet metal(cut from an old passenger car spark plug wire stand) as a strap, to reach the next bolt hole for 2 bolt mounting. I then tack welded this strap to the repro coil bracket, which made it very stable with the coil mounted and clears the shielding. Dave

[G B.]

Neat vintage piece

The C3B was introduced by Edelbrock about 40 years ago. It is no longer made, but I see them come up on eBay all the time.

In your shoes, I would buy a coil bracket for an older carbureted Corvette. These brackets mount to the right rear intake manifold bolt. I believe the reproduction brackets are priced at about $15. I wouldn't drill new holes in a vintage aluminum intake for any reason.

I seriously doubt you will feel any difference in performance after installing this manifold. It's not a bad design, it's just not significantly better than any other 4-barrel manifold for street driving.

[Richard D.]

Re: Neat vintage piece

Dave/Jerry:

Thanks a bunch for the info.

That's exactly what I needed to know.

If the bosses were on the manifold, I would tap it and do that, but since they aren't, I will get the older style bracket which should work out well, as you suggested.

I do not want to mess up either the manifold, or the engine compartment by drilling any holes into either, so your advise to me is great.

Thanks again,

Rich

[Larry Sherman]

Re: Neat vintage piece

Rich
You mention that you are looking for an original manifold for your 327-350 , 1968 engine. If memory serves, these are a cast iron unit not terribly hard to find. If you are having trouble finding one, email me and I think I have one packed away somewhere I could sell you reasonably. I am in the Seattle area and as these manifolds are iron, a nearby one would be a better idea if you are far away. If I can help..... Larry