What's the deal with all the aluminum 300 4 bbl intakes on Ebay all the time?

what I mean to say is...
Are these bad? Do most of you prefer a cast iron intake? If so...why?
I have a 300 I'm considering switching over to a 4 bbl, and wondered what the best approach is.
Thanks,
Eric

 

aluminum intake won't fit iron heads, and iron heads don't breathe as well as iron. That's not to say that they won't make power if put together right.

 

Hmmm...That's odd...I've had an aluminum intake on my 66 300 iron-headed motor for years until something went bang and dented the inside of the oilpan :eek2: Car now has a 455 in it :grin:

 

yeah...I have seen many a motor in my day that had iron heads and an aluminum intake. Why would it not fit? That makes no sense.
Which brings me back to the question...
Why does it seem Iron intakes are so sought after while there are 2 or 3 aluminum ones on ebay at all times?
Also..what's a good carb to use for this? Q-jet?
thanks,
Eric

 

Most(if not all) of the alum intakes for the 300(that I've ever seen were designed for the AFB carb...Run about a 500cfm...It definately does make a WORLD of difference...It really woke my motor up...

I really don't have any idea if there ever was a factory intake casting for the Q-Jet??? o No:

 

Jim thanks so much for all the info man.
So an aluminum intake and a carter AFB about 500 cfm huh?
Okie doke, I'll give it a shot.
Pretty easy swap ?

 

I'm using the alum 4 bbl intake on my '66 Special with 300....The early aluminum intake has smaller ports than the iron heads and manifold....I opened up the ports with a die grinder until they almost matched. I don't remember which intake gaskets I had to use...probably the '66 ones.

You don't see many iron 4 bbl intakes because they were only made one year, 1965. Everybody wants one, so they're hard to find.

 

Walt,
Thanks. Great info. You guys are great and I appreciate the time to respond.
:TU:

 

http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=8973&highlight=greg+buick+300+intake

Greg

 

Thanks Greg :TU:
That clears it all up.
Now who wants to sell me a 4 bbl manifold cast iron or aluminum ?

I can alwys open the ports up a bit to match up with the heads I suppose.

 

Aluminum 4bbl for 300

Eric,

I use the 500cfm AFB on my 64 Skylark along with a mild cam. It's plenty of carb for the engine. If you bid on an Ebay piece, ask about the condition of the thermostat housing and other wet surfaces. I've picked a few of the aluminum intakes up at swap meets just to get an original carb core. I've seen several that were badly corroded.

Another route to consider is keeping the 2bbl intake and using a Jet 2GC carb. These are rated at 500cfm and use interchangeable Holley jets. This way you can use all the linkage and kickdown mechanism that you already have and still get the air flow.

 

Re: Aluminum 4bbl for 300

Hey thanks !
I will ceratinly look into that Jet 2GC carb. I have never heard of that, and I'd like to make a swap as simple as possible as my knowledge and experience is limited to say the least.
Thank you for the tips about the ebay pieces...also duely noted.:TU:
May I ask what cam you are running and where you found it?
It's difficult at best to find aftermarket parts for these 300's.

 

300 4bbl intakes

Hello Eric,

I bought this cam from Poston in Alabama. I believe the model number is 110-A. It has a very small lope, which sound great at idle around 800 rpm. The power begins to come in around 1200 rpm and carries through 4800-5000 rpm, which is where the stock aluminum heads begin to gasp for air. Kenne-Bell sells the same grind as a Mk2. Cams are among the easier parts to get for the 300. Crower, Isky, Crane, Reed, Daytona all have varying degrees of performance cams available. Most of the Buick head porters I've talked with recommend a dual-pattern cam to help the small exhaust ports breath a little longer.

As far as I've been able to determine, Daytona is the only one that has the stock 250hp grind available. $130 if memory serves correctly.

I first saw the Jet carb in either a Jeg's or Summit Racing catalog. I did a Google search and found their website.

 

Re: 300 4bbl intakes

Thanks! Awesome info. Man this board rocks. A+ on the helpfull scale. I have the poston catalog on the way:TU:

 

Any time Dude

Glad to help. Many of the people on this site have helped me tremendously with information, advice and parts. If there's any thing you want to know about Buicks or if you need advice to make a decision, this is the place to come.

 

One more thought

Eric,

If you're going to hunt for a '65 iron 4bbl intake, be sure to look under the hoods of all the '65s you come across. The 4bbl/250hp engine was available in the Specials, Skylarks and whale bodies too. I found one on a Buick large enough to be used as a helicopter landing pad. I think it was an Electra 225.

Mark

 

Re: One more thought

Well just an update, my dad stumbled upon some aluminum heads for a 300, I don't know where he got 'em and don't care. I want them!:Brow:
So It'll probably be an aluminum manifold and heads after all. Neet-o.:TU:

 

I guess I'm special. My 65 300 has 4 barrels and iron....vroom...vroom......:beer

Now, if I ever finish putting her back together, I'll be in business..

 

Nick,

She's a thing of beauty.

Mark

 

LMAO...I guess we have the same discussion going in two threads...Here's about where I'm at with the resto...