Engine and Transmission Tech

Chad the Willpower doesn't stick down below the flange like the stock intake. It looks like the sealing flanges are about a 1/4" below the flange. Here is a pic of the Huffaker intake on a plate:




Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/31/2022 09:29PM by mgb260.

The plate should be no less than 1/8" thick and being cast probably at least 3/16" to avoid casting flaws and possible leakage. Thicker at the block flanges of course. I think it would be a pretty good idea to include a small flange that drops down inside the lifter valley along the front and back of the block but of course it would make production machining of those places a bit more work to set up. I expect as much as a 1/16" gap on each one would accommodate variations in the block casting. (allow shifting of the intake fore/aft by as much as 1/8") This flange or shoulder would help retain the OEM seal and make sure it didn't drop inside during assembly. It's true that the seal has lips on it for this purpose but it would just make for a nicer fit up and a more positive seal.

Jim

Does anyone still use a rubber seal in the front/rear?

Underside view of Wildcat intake which is made by Willpower. Looks like a 5/16" plate from flange to flange would be perfect.




Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/07/2022 10:57AM by mgb260.

Wanted to update and submit for future reference on how we got here. Without a block Anthony is guessing on the valley plate dimensions but we came up with some good measurement values and hopefully this will be enough to fabricate the valley plate. Some pics. This engine still used a valley seal though rtv will need to be used with new manifold. There is only about 1/8” gap between bottom of manifold and valley wall. Anthony wanted measurements from the intake edge to valley plate.

Seal in place.

Update:

It's been a long journey to get this intake created but I think we're there. Anthony has made 2 Willpower intakes that will fit the Buick 300, one is being shipped to me for a trial fit and test and the other is a mold for his records if someone wants to order in the future. This manifold has an integrated valley plate that took some time to create. I'll send pics when received.

As a note, after verifying fit on my block I'd like to send to Dan Jones for some testing to get flow numbers so folks can compare numbers when intake shoppiing.

Brian, Congrats! I was wondering how you were doing!

Great news!

Hi Brian, congrats on getting this done! Any idea how much this manifold will cost? And I'm curious how the height compares to the stock 4BBL manifold?

Excellent!
Now all we need is an affordable forged crank. (and stroker version)

Jim

I'm not sure on the cost of the manifold, I'll ask Anthony if he has a price in mind. He did not charge me for the manifold created other than shipping costs. I shipped a manifold there and I'll pay to ship back the original 4 barrel 300 and the new Willpower. This was a joint effort so we basically shared the costs. If the final fit, height and flow numbers are reasonable then there will a nice 2nd option for a 300 build.

I don't believe this manifold will sit any higher than the Wildcat/Willpower for the Buick 215/Rover, depends on the final valley plate measurements.

Thanks Brian, I'd appreciate you asking. And I assume this requires use of the Wildcat heads (and wouldn't work with any other heads?)? Or maybe more to the point--what heads *will* it work with? I'm just now trying to decide which way to go (300 heads, Wildcat heads, TA heads or Rover 4.6 are all under consideration).

Thanks again,
Eric



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/17/2022 05:36PM by Airwreckc.

Eric, this intake is for Rover and Buick heads. Wildcat is a different intake.

Jim, thanks for the clarification. It's good to know that it will work with any of the options I'm considering.

Anthony reports that the Willpower intake carb base sits at the nearly the same height as the orginal, or just at 4" or 100MM from valley to carb base. The cost is notset yet as h's waiting to se how my intake fits up.

I'm working with Anthony to ship a block, heads and a 2 barrel intake. He'd like to have the orginals to make fitup and mold creation more straight forward. He's arranged fright shippment from Texas so whenever I can find a block I'll have it delivered to the freight yard fro shipping. If anyone has an bad block they can donate (Texas area) would be great. I'm contacting some of the old wrecking yards in Texas to see if anythings available locally.

Thanks for the update. The height is really good news for a well flowing intake!

Might call and see if Obsolete Buick (Dallas area) has a block they could let go of, who knows what they have kicking around. [obsoletebuickparts.com]

Same for TA, they could have an old block scrap block they haven't gotten rid of. Or know where to find one.

Jim

I'm definitely interested in one of these intake manifolds when they become available. I've just started a rather elaborate 300 build that will require something better than stock.

Bob.

A breath of fresh air... At risk of pointing obvious, use spacer plates and "anybodys", better RV8 manifold ! Thin aluminum sheet to seal lifter valley to china walls.