I have a 1985 Ford F150 with a 302 and 4 barrel carburetor. I currently am running an Edelbrock Performer dual plane, low-rise intake mainfold, a 1" 4-hole phenolic carb spacer, and a Holley 4 barrel carburetor.

I am going to rebuild the engine soon, and was wondering about the intake manifold. I am building this truck for low end torque, NOT for racing. Would a high-rise intake be better? Why or why not? Did Ford use a low-rise or high-rise intake stock on these trucks? What would be a better intake manifold for my application?

 

Stick with what you have. That will be a great combo for your desired engine. High risers give a straighter shot at the port but most are single plane and thus are meant for higher RPMs. The dual plane intakes make more torque at lower RPMs that single planes (there is one exception, the Wieand X-Celerator) and thus there is no reason to change.

I also run a 4 hole spacer as it seems to keep the throttle more responisive at lower RPM's with a very small hit at upper levels.

Kenny

 

If you're going to rebuild, throw a little stroke into it. I like the 331 idea, not as extreme as the 347 as far as angles go, may live longer. But the displacement increase will bring the torque on at lower revs, all else being equal.

The original "high rise/medium rise/low rise" was for FE engines, specifically the 427, in Galaxies in the early '60s. Not used on other engines afaik. Use of the design quickly spread as far and wide as the 427 and 428 and the FE in general.

 

x2 on running what you already have.