351 Windsor intake maniflods

[ggunter]

Wondering what intake manifolds you guys are using with the Windsor 427. Height seems to be an issue. I'm using the Edelbrock 2181 low rise with a Holley 4150, a 1/2" phenolic spacer and a 1/2" air cleaner spacer to clear the distributor and I only have about 3/8" left above the air cleaner to the body. The air cleaner is 2 3/4" oval shaped that is supplied with the engines that come from Blueprint. Just wondering if there is any other intake combination that will work. I tried the Edelbrock air gap with no luck. Too tall.

[FLPBFoot]

My Blue Print 427 came with a Weiand Stealth intake. No spacer between the Holley carb and the intake manifold. I do have a 1/2" spacer on top so the drop air cleaner will clear the throttle and choke linkage.

Since the oval Cobra air cleaner from Blue Print only flows 500 cfm I switched to a round K&N Super flow with drop filter and X-treme filter top. This combo will flow up to 900 cfm. Also removes the issue of clearance with the body. I really like the look of the oval Cobra filter but on the dyno we could not get the cab to lean out and run right with that overly restrictive filter.

176415

[Rdone585]

I have the Edelbrock Air Gap intake with a Dart SHP block (351W format). I use a 1/2" spacer with a 4150 series Holly carb. Also have a dropdown air filter housing with a 2 1/2" tall filter (might actually be a 2 3/4" filter). There's about 1/2" to spare between the top of the air filter and the corners of the scoop in the hood. Note that the motor mount can also impact how high the block sits relative to the body.

[ggunter]

I see the Weiand is just about an inch taller. I'm using a phenolic carb spacer because of the float bowls boiling over from heat when I sit for an hour or so. the spacer seems to have corrected the condition. I know I could gain some clearance if I went to a round drop air cleaner, I just like the oval but had no idea it was that restrictive. 176419 You're not talking about this one are you? I know these are restrictive.

[Jim1855]

I cheat. Engine has been fit tested with an Edelbrock Vic Jr and a dropbase aircleaner and 3" element, it fits but it's close. Might switch to a Super Victor to move the torque curve up, kinda like traction control.

But again, I cheat. Completely changed the engine mounts, engine is lower than most would like and might change to a wider hoodscoop.

A friend has a 351 based motor, Vic Jr, dropbase aircleaner 3" element and standard engine mounts. Fits just fine.

Jim

[ggunter]

When you drop the engine like that with the mounts don't the headers drop low in the front?

[Gordon Levy]

My drop mounts actually put the windsor based engine in the same position as the previous generation chassis's. I have made 500rwhp with an unported performer rpm air gap on a hydraulic roller 427 small block on pump gas and it clears quite well. Victor Jr will make about 25 more up top but will loose some low end drivability.

[Jim1855]

Header / Sidepipe height. I'm building custom headers and using my old sidepipes from my previous Superformance cars.

Yes, as Gordon indicated. A Vic Jr. moves the torque curve up and sacrifices some driveability from a Performer series. The Vic Jr. was designed for a 351, the 427 smooths it out a bit. My engine (427) didn't like working under 2,000 but cruised well at 2,200/80mph. Had more torque than the tires could hold at 2,500 in a 1st gear roll on with 3.27 gears. I ran a Performer RPM carbs in the first iteration of my 427 then switched to the Vic Jr. and never looked back.

As a caution, what's good for one might be horrible for another. Some here want new EFI drivability and fuel economy, others want something closer to an original "look", others want to cruise on the street, some want to race. Pick your poison, one selection most likely won't do it all.

Like many things there's a good chance that there will be some "test n tune" until you get the combination where you want it. In previous cars (2) with the same motor I ran 4 different carbs, 2 sets of heads, 2 manifolds, 3 sets of headers, 3 different muffler sections, 2 distributors, 2 different sets of rocker arms and a few changes of other parts. I am a bit (read as really) hard on equipment.

This isn't advice, just food for thought.

Jim

[GoDadGo]

Possibly the best of both worlds may be the Edelbrock Torker-II.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/edl-5081

The Performer RPM Air Gap is a great manifold and so too are the Victor Series intakes, but if you need a low profile intake the options become limited.

My friend Jerry has a Gen-1 Type 65 with a 392-W Stroker (351 Windsor) and he's running a Torker-II intake and Holley four barrel...It is the same height as the Standard Performer (4.1"), but since it is a single plane manifold it pulls hard from 2,000-6,000 RPM range of the engine...The Standard Performer's range is from idle to 5,500 RPM while the Torker-II RPM range of 2,500 to 6,500 RPM, but remember that these ranges are based on a 351-W so the larger displacement calms things down.

For your 427-W, I'd strongly suggest this very short single plane intake because you're not going to have any issues with needing any more bottom end torque...It will actually flatten the torque curve a bit.

Good Luck From The Dark-Dart Side!

[ggunter]

I particularly like the Edelbrock RPM air gap because it's dual plane. When I bought this engine, I had installed it only to find out it wouldn't fit under the cowl with the oval air cleaner. (Jeff told me it wouldn't work but I had to try it anyway.) I want the low end drivability of a dual plane but with the longer runners of the air gap for top end when needed and hopefully it will keep some of the heat away from the carb and it has a bit of aesthetics with it. Let's face it every one of us spend hours and hours around 2000 rpm with mere seconds above 5500 rpm, so that's why I want drivability and quite honestly with the ability to break the tires loose in third gear when you're at 80, I don't want to be having to fight to keep the car straight at that speed. I know it will fit if I put a round drop center air cleaner on it. Just didn't want to lose the appeal of the oval air cleaner. I have a decision to make. For the putting around that I do 99% of the time I may just keep what is working well. I'm glad I didn't own this car at 21. I never would have seen 22.

[johnnybgoode]

I'm running a non-airgap Performer RPM with a 1/2" carb spacer QF650SS and an air-top oval air filter and it all fits under the hood with about a 1/4" to spare, more if you drop the spacer. Motor runs good and strong 520 ft/lb, 500 hp, and will pull cleanly from 1500 RPM in 5th gear. Scott

176448 176449

ps. If you subscribe to Engine Masters the std Performer RPM is their favorite manifold for the Ford Windsor.

[ggunter]

Johnny, I like that air cleaner. Where did you get it and how much was it?

[Gordon Levy]

That is a summit air cleaner and think they are around $170

[RRussellTx]

I went with a wedge spacer and it worked well for me.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?25091-Question-for-those-of-you-with-351w-and-oval-air-cleaners&p=493321&viewfull=1#post493321