Ok, so for the last few weeks, I've been trying to get my heated carb plate hooked up. I swapped out my log 1bbl exhaust manifold for some EFI manifolds and then made a heat plate to use coolant to keep the carb warm.

Only problem was when I finally got the plate hooked up and put coolant to it, coolant started bubbling out of the EGR spacer! First off, this let me know that the spacer wasn't on tight enough, but for two, it told me I had a hole in my intake. I'm guessing that years of corrosion put a hole inside the housing where the exhaust manifold would supply heat to the intake manifold. Not good, and explains why I'm having trouble passing emissions.

So, here's my question, I obviously need a new intake manifold because this one's toast. But I've also been planning on doing a 4bbl swap sometime in the future. I don't have a lot of time since I'm past due on passing emissions, but how difficult is it generally to get a 4bbl to pass? I know I'll need a new intake manifold, 4bbl carb, and I'm guessing a new air filter housing since I don't know if the stock one will fit onto a 4bbl.

I know with my current setup, there is a large vacuum port on the intake that supplies all sorts of vacuum lines around the engine. Do aftermarket intakes (like Clifford) allow for this port? Also, my current vacuum line setup has quite a few vacuum lines running to the air filter housing. Do most aftermarket air filter housings have these ports too?

I also know that I'm not going to have a place to put my current EGR valve because it bolts up underneath the 1bbl carb.

What are your thoughts? Am I better off just getting a 1bbl intake and passing? Or is getting a 4bbl setup to pass pretty easy? I'm probably looking at a Holley 390 since I'm not all that power hungry.

 

Why not get the hole in the intake welded so it doesn't leak and then take your time with the 4bbl conversion? Less stressful that way and makes for less of a chance to screw up with the conversion.

Chuck

 

I'd have to completely remove the intake to do that anyway. That and it's in an inaccessible spot. I can't even see it since it's up inside the heat chimney.
If I go that route, I'll probably just pull a stock one from a junk yard and swap it out.

 

Looks like you just solved your problem.

 

Well yeah. It's an option that's gone through my head. But I figure if I'm pulling the whole intake off again, I was wondering what it would take to convert it since it's been something I've been wanting to do anyway.

I did find out today though that with the $300 I put into a new exhaust engine to tailpipe, it's work towards emissions and I'm going to take the receipts down tomorrow to see if it'll exempt me for a year. That'll definitely help and give me time.

 

Sounds like you have different laws than here in California. We can apply for assistance if the repairs are, I think, over $100.00, but the exemptions are only good for 3 months..

 

Yeah, it's rather lax here since A) it's Idaho and B), it's the only place in Idaho with any emissions.