Matching port sizes, intake manifold to head

[OldMercs]

When I bought my 9425 B manifold is was careful to compare port size to the old manifold I removed from the car.

Today I got the 9425 B back from the paint shop and decided to compare its port size.to the heads. The port on the head is about an 1/8 inch longer. Is this a problem?

I put the gasket on the head and it fits perfectly. I put the gasket on the manifold and it shows about a 1/16 inch metal on either side of the long dimension.

 

[miker98038]

Probably not a problem, as the airflow is from the manifold to the head. Could be someone ported the head a little, just out to the gasket at the surface. Actually, I’d say they both look better than average. I did my first port matches about 59 years ago. Very conservatively. I’ve never got into a water jacket, which is how you learn the limits.

Should be fine on a relatively stock engine. If you’re not getting into long cams, high compression etc., just button it up and enjoy.

Did you get the distributor issue sorted out? Still going with the 1403?

 

[OldMercs]

Should be fine on a relatively stock engine. If you’re not getting into long cams, high compression etc., just button it up and enjoy.

Did you get the distributor issue sorted out? Still going with the 1403?

Very stock engine. It's been bored .030 and that's it as far as I know. I am still going Edelbrock 1403. Don't have a distributor yet but at least I know what to look thanks to you and the rest of the Ford Barn forum members.

 

[miker98038]

Your best bet is probably an oem, rebuilt and set up. But if the price is excessive, here’s a link to a discussion on yblocksforever. Go down and follow the links Ted Eaton added. If you don’t know who he is, he’s one of at least the top 3 if not the #1 Yblock builder in the country. #1 in my book, and not to short anyone else.

http://forums.y-blocksforever.com/Topic166810.aspx

 

[KULTULZ]

The intake gaskets are right and left. Switch them and see what you have.

You did buy the 1957/ gasket set?

 

[55blacktie]

When I bought my 9425 B manifold is was careful to compare port size to the old manifold I removed from the car.

Today I got the 9425 B back from the paint shop and decided to compare its port size.to the heads. The port on the head is about an 1/8 inch longer. Is this a problem?

I put the gasket on the head and it fits perfectly. I put the gasket on the manifold and it shows about a 1/16 inch metal on either side of the long dimension.

The head intake ports should be equal to or greater than the manifold ports; smaller head ports would be an obstruction. The exhaust ports are just the opposite.

Unless the intake ports on the heads are smaller, there's little to be gained by port-matching.

 

[scicala]

There are actually two different B intake manifolds. The ECG-9425-B and the ECZ-9425-B. The ECG was used in '55 with smaller ports, The ECZ was in '57 with larger ports
I assume you have the ECZ intake.

Sal

 

[KULTULZ]

Let's simplify all of this for the OP -

There are three different sets of intake gaskets according to model year -

1) 1954 239/256 SMALL PORT
2) 1955/1956 MID PORT
3) 1957/1964 LARGE PORT

He has what has been ID'd as a 1961 BLOCK with the correct 2V INTAKE (CYL HEAD ID unknown).

As long as he has a 1957/ CYL HEAD and the correct intake manifold intake set he is ready to roll. I believe he simply has the gaskets (L-R) on the wrong side of the cyl assy or possibly backwards. If so, it will leak coolant and have a vacuum leak.

ECG-B is a 2V INTAKE for a 1955 272.

 

[OldMercs]

There are actually two different B intake manifolds. The ECG-9425-B and the ECZ-9425-B. The ECG was used in '55 with smaller ports, The ECZ was in '57 with larger ports
I assume you have the ECZ intake.

Sal

Yes,ECZ 9425 B. I didn't realize there were two 9425 B's.

 

[OldMercs]

The head intake ports should be equal to or greater than the manifold ports; smaller head ports would be an obstruction. The exhaust ports are just the opposite.

Exactly what I see in my case, head ports are slightly than the manifold ports. For some reason I thought they would be the same.

 

[dmsfrr]

Yes,ECZ 9425 B. I didn't realize there were two 9425 B's.

There's also an ECB-9425 B
Used in '55 with the Holley 4000 teapot carb on T-Birds, and likely a couple other models that year.
.

 

[scicala]

There's also an ECB-9425 B
Used in '55 with the Holley 4000 teapot carb on T-Birds, and likely a couple other models that year.
.

My mistake when I said ECG-B.
Meant to say ECB-B for '55 Ford, T-Bird and Merc.
thank you dmsfrr

Sal

 

[55blacktie]

Ted Eaton (eatonbalancing.com) has an article on achieving 1+ horsepower per cubic inch using stock heads. The heads were 113 heads (all 113 heads are "posted") that had been milled .080, however, which reduced the combustion chambers from a nominal 72cc to 62.3cc; this, of course, significantly bumped the compression ratio up and required premium gas. An ECZ-B cast-iron intake was used, but Ted openend up the carburetor base/plenum to two ovals and blended the runners into the plenum. Ted routinely does this (mine included).