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Another Chrysler mystery. I have 2 2bbl intake manifolds for the B block. Both have the same casting/part number. One has open spaces between the crossover and the intake ports, on the other they are closed. Does anyone have a clue if this is early/ late production? Perhaps different casting facilities?
Glenn Colburn, NDC #3412
I like your two theories as being most likely. Keep in mind too that the b-block 2 bbl intake was used for many years, so it's very possible that they kept the same casting number through most/all those years until something functionally changed. With that in mind, one of those might be a true '59 manifold and one might be a later version. Do you still have the one off the parts car too or is that one of these two?
@fredroman or @randywelch might be able to look at their '59 Firedomes and add to this as well.
I'll look when I get back to the shop and let you know what one mine has.
"It's delightful, it's delovely, it's DeSoto"
Mine is open and I have to believe it is original to the car as is everything else with only 42,000 miles.
"It's delightful, it's delovely, it's DeSoto"
The open manifold came with my car, but it was not the original engine. The parts car and a manifold from a '59 Firedome are both closed. I was told that this part number was for 1958/1959, then a new part number with open channels for 1960/1961. I'm just happy that they both work. The open portions do provide areas to drop little nuts, bolts and washers.
Glenn
Last week I saw a 1960 Fireflite one family car with the same casting number 1737707 with closed spaces. I assume it was just leftover parts getting used up. My 1959 Firesweep made a round trip to Michigan (200 miles with a refreshed engine) with no issues, and the oil is still clean! I'm used to the oil turning black much quicker than that.
Glenn
@glenncolburn interesting observations and now I'll be on the lookout for this at the convention and other shows! I was glad to hear the fresh engine did well on your first longer trip with it. Is it all good for a trip to New Orleans?
It should be good to go. I just need to seal one exhaust manifold bolt that hisses out a tiny bit of antifreeze under pressure. A new water pump should help with the heat. The impeller backed off of the old one and wore off the fins.
Glenn
