Prototype intake manifold

[Jon M.]

Hi,

I'm new here and have a question about a prototype Chevy intake manifold I have. It has a date of 3-13-64 on the bottom of it and it has some cosmoline on it as a protectant. The style of runners is different from the more squared off angles typical of Chevy manifolds of the time. Is this manifold of mine a one-off attempt to try a different runner design? Was it possibly meant for a specific engine application that did not come to pass? I'm curious if anybody might be able to shed some light on the history of the development of this intake.

Thank you,
Jon Mello

[Michael H.]

Re: Prototype intake manifold

Hi,

I'm new here and have a question about a prototype Chevy intake manifold I have. of this intake.

Thank you,
Jon Mello

Hello Jon. Welcome to the NCRS discussion board. I haven't chatted with you for several years. Good to hear from you. (Jon and I know each other from the early Camaro days)

Interesting manifold. Those 0-xxxxxx castings are always good for a few pages of discussion.

Michael

[Joe C.]

Re: Prototype intake manifold

Hi,

I'm new here and have a question about a prototype Chevy intake manifold I have. It has a date of 3-13-64 on the bottom of it and it has some cosmoline on it as a protectant. The style of runners is different from the more squared off angles typical of Chevy manifolds of the time. Is this manifold of mine a one-off attempt to try a different runner design? Was it possibly meant for a specific engine application that did not come to pass? I'm curious if anybody might be able to shed some light on the history of the development of this intake.

Thank you,
Jon Mello

Jon,

Striking similarity to the intake first seen in production on the 1967 DZ motor. Again used for 1968, 1969, and later used on the 1970-1972 LT1.

The production manifolds had stoves on the right side for divorced chokes. They all had common plenum bores on the lower plenum half as well as the upper half as shown in your prototype.

Judging from Michael's comments, you are already familiar with the above. I commented for the benefit of those who are not.

[Jon M.]

Re: Prototype intake manifold

Michael, it's great to see your name again. It has been awhile.

I appreciate the comments, Joe. Yes, it does have some of the general look of the early Z manifold. The rear runner to #8 is a bit fatter in the prototype, kind of like the Edelbrock C3BX. Also interesting there is no port for vacuum in that runner nor any provision for mounting a coil on the manifold.. This prototype manifold was done before the Mustang came out and thus Camaro wouldn't have been on Chevy's mind at the time. Were they just developing a manifold without a specific car application in mind? Below I have put a picture of the '67-'68 Z manifold to make it easy to compare.

-Jon

[Michael F.]

Re: Prototype intake manifold

I would love to know how it flows. Looks like a great "stock" stroker intake.

[Tom B.]

Re: Prototype intake manifold

The runners do appear larger and there is no heat crossover which would explain why there is no choke boss. I doubt that this intake was ever intended for production vehicles.

Tom

[Joe L.]

Re: Prototype intake manifold

The runners do appear larger and there is no heat crossover which would explain why there is no choke boss. I doubt that this intake was ever intended for production vehicles.

Tom

Tom-----


I agree. As far as I know there was never a PRODUCTION carbureted engine built that did not use an exhaust heat cross-over. So, this must have been some sort of prototype manifold for over-the-counter sale or racing application.

[Rex T.]

Re: Prototype intake manifold

Hi Jon, very neat and rare item you have there. I'm sure you are aware that the 0 - (O dash) casting number designates the intake as a prototype or experimental unit. GM used the 0 - casting numbers for all their prototype pieces. I've managed to collect some of these prototype parts for Can Am engines over the years. If you have not contacted Wayne Guinn, you may want to do so. He has a lot of information on GM prototype parts. Here is a link to his website.

http://www.guinns-engineering.com/camaro_service.htm

Good luck with your search.

Rex

[Cecil L.]

Re: Prototype intake manifold

The mounting pad looks like AFB and there are no coil mounting bosses.

[Jon M.]

Re: Prototype intake manifold

I appreciate all the comments so far. I have not tried Wayne Guinn but will try and do so.

[James G.]

Re: Prototype intake manifold

Hi Jon, very neat and rare item you have there. I'm sure you are aware that the 0 - (O dash) casting number designates the intake as a prototype or experimental unit. GM used the 0 - casting numbers for all their prototype pieces. I've managed to collect some of these prototype parts for Can Am engines over the years. If you have not contacted Wayne Guinn, you may want to do so. He has a lot of information on GM prototype parts. Here is a link to his website.

http://www.guinns-engineering.com/camaro_service.htm

Good luck with your search.

Rex

I agree with Rex. "0- xxx" parts were usually "Engineering numbers" usued on special parts. The 57 SEBRING car I found had 0-xxx springs. A GM Spring engineer has traced the blue prints back to 8 units being produced. Each car got 2 each and a spare set.

Ken Kayser in Michigan may be able to help and John Hinkley. Both were with GM and Chevrolet for many years in Production and Powertrain.

Send me a PM Jon, if you need to follow with them also.

[Clem Z.]

Re: Prototype intake manifold

I appreciate all the comments so far. I have not tried Wayne Guinn but will try and do so.

try bill howell in marine city mich as he was the GM engineer at the tracks with the trans am camaros. bill used to send me over to spy on the ford guys at the races.