The ULTIMATE Ford Flathead Intake Guide - Hot Rodding 101

Today Matt and Pete combine their knowledge of the Ford Flathead to create a video on aftermarket intake manifolds. Matt and Pete both have large aluminum intake manifold collections ranging from common 2x2 intakes to wild 4x2 race setups. Follow along for some great information!!
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[@Mopar46]

Education is a wonderful thing, and at 74 years old, I still figure I'm not too old to learn. Thanks for the lesson, Matt.

[@10ksubscriberchallengewith81]

73 y/o here. Greetings and ditto the comments.

[@EdWimble]

Blast Box ? Never heard that one before, so funny.....Otherwise known as "Plenum" to the older hot rodding gentleman. Great article guys.

[@barryhickman6911]

These type videos are the BEST! To a new flattie guy like myself, I LOVE these and especially the detail/informational type you personally do on the information I'm looking for! I'm currently negotiating on a 1950 Shoebox Ford 2dr sdn and a 1952 Crestline hdtp, both V8 Flatties with standard, 3 on the tree trans! I thought I'd start here , build my knowledge and talents (Hopefully) before I move up to a 28 through 41 Ford (I really want a 28 to 32 Ford roadster! I know I'm late to he party Matt, but watching you and listening closely, I'm learning! Love the video! Thanks again!

[@jhicks741]

I am 86 and you sure bring back many memories. I had a full race engine in my '52 Ford, i experimented with 2,3.,and 4 carb manifolds. The 2 carb was a Tattersfield high rise. I settled on 3 carbs with progressive linkage. All that equipment was plentiful in my day for reasonable prices. I worked for an auto parts supplier and we rebuilt engines! I grew up in and era when you could buy a drive-able '39 ford for $25. I bought a 1930 model A pick up, without engine or transmission or fenders for $15! I had great hopes for it but it never happened. I started getting interested in girls. My downfall!

[@patschollaert5978]

Great information, I ran across an Edmunds aluminum 2x2 intake on a 1950 truck motor. Going through it for a Funk 8N conversion. Any thoughts on this obscure intake?

[@dennisschickling2249]

Great to hear your pass History. #STAYSAFE #PHILLYPHILLY🇺🇸

[@jhicks741]

@@patschollaert5978 Sorry, I have no additional information on the Edmunds.

[@10ksubscriberchallengewith81]

73 y/o here. Thanks for sharing!

[@steveclark4291]

Thank you Matt and Mike for the lesson on Flat Head Intakes !

[@1954shadow]

ITU, IronTrap University.

[@michaelguinn5736]

Morning Matt, wow! now that's a carburetor collection!! I've always been into vintage car/truck small parts collecting, my problem is space!

[@380.motorsports]

Another awesome informational video. I learned a lot about intakes I never knew. Thanks for sharing and thanks to Pete also.

[@Rondvooo]

thanks Matt for your knowledge...Ron L

[@ovalwingnut]

ShOcK & AWE InTeReStiNg.. Pure gearhead gold! You R the "Flathead Intake Whisperer" Cheers from So.Ca.USA 3rd House On the Left (but call before you stop by:)

[@rscruiser3533]

Thanks--Matt for another 101 course ------ It was like ---- if one can make an Intake ---- why not ------ SO MANY----- variations ------ I have a 3x2 setup on an Weiand with progressive linkage -------- Sometimes we collect things ----like Pete did years ago ------ we get rid of it ---- and years later ------WHY DID I DO THAT? ----- Little did we know back then ------ Again Thanks for another GOOD video on 101 --- Rodney

[@oldschoolcustoms215]

Great collection

[@TheShadeTreeFixitMan]

I had a Thickson high rise intake back in the 70s. I only paid $10 for it, along with a pair of aluminum heads that I also paid $10 for a small swap meet. I never put them on my own vehicle, but did help a friend rebuild a flathead that he put into a 53 Ford F100. It ran pretty well with it's "3/4" race cam. Those were the days.

[@matthewschneider2089]

Dude!!! Thank you !!! That was great info!!! Great video!!! ✌️

[@davidpillado6749]

Great video

[@murdoc6501]

Fantastic information! Go Iron Trap, keep moving forward!

[@garycamara9955]

Hi Matt. I'm Gary, I bought a 3x2 intake and pair of heads for $600 directly from the guy that was casting them. This was when I was at Tardels back in the 80s. They are Cyclone heads and intake. I am still using the intake on my roadster. But now I am using a pair of Navarro heads. The Cyclone heads are in a box. When I rebuilt the engine there were some sealing issues with the fire ring area, rather than take a chance we used a new pair of Navarro heads. I met Barney some years ago when he designed the blower intake for Tardels Bonneville car. This is why I used his heads. I was looking at the Cyclones the other day and I think they are alright. Just by a small margin. Have you ever seen Cyclone parts.

[@francoisbekker4857]

Hi Matt, fan from South Africa. Big fan You educated me about restoration vs hotrod. Now i am a big fan of period hotrods

[@georgeparker7409]

Time for another trip down memory lane here in Maine. Add these to last weeks "memories". (1) we did block off the heat riser holes with pennies. both of them on the race engines to not let the heat get to the carb. Used one to make a street engine "talk" (2) There is a manifold out in the Speedway Museum in Lincoln Ne. that has another carb located under the intake. The inspectors/competitors never knew. I was fortunate to have a tour by (RIP) Bill Smith and his wife a few years ago and he pointed it out. Sure wish we had it then! (3)We did fool a bit with staggering the firing order (ala Chevy) but didn't notice any difference, (4) Not sure if this is true or not but I seem to remember talk of a 180 degree crank from sort of flat head conversion to an air compressor. I do know that company (Smith??) made them for model A's to run on 2 cylinders with 2 to compress air. Anybody else remember??? Great ides om Hot Rod 101. Not many of us left.

[@hotrodmyk]

Great info, thanks !

[@bobgaylord8883]

Great video, Matt. I have never owned a flathead engine, but I picked up an Eelco intake several years ago at an estate sale. It has a rectangular adapter on it with two 2bbls on it. Nice paint job and pin striping. I liked it and will probably never use it. but the price was right.

[@jeffmeier2514]

Mueseum of american speed in lincoln nebr has a massive collection of flathead intakes .

[@learysinsight9617]

I just became the owner of an original car from a family member. 1954 (Canadian) Mercury Meteor Niagara with a 239 unopened. It ran when parked. probably sat for 20yrs. I'm not sure what I should do with it, but would love to rebuild it with some power.

[@hardlyworgen71]

What are the downsides of using a single 4bbl versus a 2X2?

[@mdogg1604]

At age 73 I just acquired a car I've always wanted: a '50 Merc. It was a stalled project, sporting two carbs, a 3/4 cam (I'm told) and oversize valves (I've verified that.) Looks like my carb linkage is not progressive. Should it be? The plugs were black and sooty. Oh, BTW, great display of carbs. You have a new subscriber!

[@ldnwholesale8552]

A 97 is 150cfm on a good day. For a 221 2carbs are probably enough unless the engine has both compression and cam for rpm then 3 is the go. 239 with mods will get away with 3 and for a 255 with all the mods, big cam, springs etc 4 should be able to be used. Three with progressive linkage are useable on all with minor mods. While 4bbl intakes are rare are single 4bbl,, 450 up to max 600 vacc secondaries will be far nicer. I have seen a constant flow injection on a street rod A and it was healthy. Very small throttles I suspect and it did look and sound tough. I have seen 2" SUs x2 and also a pair of IDA Webers as well. Whatever flatheads were out of date by the war and OHV of any style is way better

[@vintagesavoiur]

Single four barrel is the best for reliability given the factory 2 barrel is hard to find parts for

[@kennybuckman6483]

In the late 80s I traded a can of mountain dew for an Edmunds 2 duece intake (48-53).

[@thomasmitchell6921]

On one of your next video’s could we see the bottom side of a few intakes ? Great education on this - Good Job

[@waynespyker5731]

Would like to see the 2 joined 2 barrel carbs to form a 4 barrel to meet a racing class spec. Or the fable rule breaking carb mounted under a manifold for a single carb class.

[@KubotaManDan]

Hey Matt did you see the Jerry Heasley video with the lady & her husbands 1930's Ford flatheads & parts. She needs to get rid of. Thought of you when seeing the collection.

[@JamesDavis-to1hn]

Matt could you please give us an update on your Arden motor build????

[@CapnBubbaa]

In your video, there were 4 barrel intakes, are they the bastard step child for flatheads? a single quad should put out more horsepower than a 2x2, and less issues to deal with... I know it is not as cool looking, but reliability & tuning is a major factor to consider.

[@ahupuaapunaokauai702]

Howzit Matt, out here in the pacific blue ocean trying to find parts for my T bucket project.. I like your barn finds that is cool ! Do you have a lot of parts inventory available?

[@IronTrapGarage]

Yep. Check our website here: www.irontrapgarage.com

[@Shadow0fd3ath24]

i wish someone would do a Richard Holdener type dyno test of each type intake and tell what its use case is, theres is one by Marlan Davis of MotorTrend but thats about it

[@georgejosephhaigh7725]

Great video , I could really use your help Pop and I just put a Fenton trip intake with Ford 2br.carbs on his 1950 Ford shoebox . he's making me crazy with trying to make old linkage parts laying around the are garage he's afraid to order a linkage and it be wrong , would you happen to know he would need to finish the setup , in need of some help HELP 🤯👍✌️

[@geoffprobert2506]

can you use adjustable lifters on mushroom valves

[@ahupuaapunaokauai702]

what size head bolts are required for 21 stud block

[@luetner]

I just purchased a Ofenhouser 3 X2 equipped flatty. The carbs have a 94 in the casting. much grinding was done to make them fit. Was there a carb that would fit without grinding off front to back stuff?

[@dalemarshall4878]

Im also curious about 4bl flathead intakes. Were they popular at all? I imagine the early small 4bls wouldn't be too big.

[@frasercocks]

In watching some other videos regarding blocking the exhaust from the block up into the intake, what are your thoughts on that? Is it worth trying or not really an issue?

[@lelandrogers1078]

I saw a couple of 4 barrel intakes but didn’t hear you mention them. What are your thoughts on them?

[@johnrebus1641]

I did notice one (and only one ) of the intakes shown was for 4 barrel Holley. Are 4 barrel intakes rare?

[@yobop6072]

...the patents are the key.....

[@user-dl1mh6hf3j]

What about 4 barrel intakes?

[@Lanni_747]

Flathead and 4 barrel don’t go together in the same sentence.

[@user-dl1mh6hf3j]

@@Lanni_747 Tell that to Edelbrock!

[@Lanni_747]

A 4 barrel is fine. Companies made them. But why be boring?

[@user-dl1mh6hf3j]

@@Lanni_747 Because they are, after all, part of flathead history, like it or not.

[@Lanni_747]

@@user-dl1mh6hf3j 😂🤣. Ugh. Don’t waste my time with boring history of 4 barrels.

[@dennisschickling2249]

Great information. Thanks. #STAYSAFE #PHILLYPHILLY🇺🇸

[@ahupuaapunaokauai702]

HelloMatt, Im out here on Kauai, I would like to purchase some parts from you if possible?

[@IronTrapGarage]

Send us an email. [e-mail]

[@MrJeep75]

What about 4brl intake

[@Lanni_747]

Google….

[@PepeofCalif]

Solex carburetors made in France

[@TrashcanGarage]

Here's Matt again, making me sad that I didn't get "into" cars when I was a younger man. Oh well, better late than never. 😉 Trashcan 🗑 Approved

[@trenzmeister]

i sent you an ebay message for some parts and no response

[@IronTrapGarage]

Send us an email. [e-mail]

[@yobop6072]

Matt you just gave Cali another reason to mess with hot rods....poor gas mileage, and emissions......just sayin.....but I think an engine matched and by accident you come across a decent manifold and carbs setup you will smile at the officials....,oh an the gen or alt setup is a bitch.....

[@timbriske5960]

When you going to go back to work on the cars. It seems all you do lately is talk

[@steveclark4291]

I don't mind him talking about this stuff as it has helped me and my friends figure out what isn't working out right . I'm 68 and found hard to get the older generation to talk about or even help figure stuff out on Hot Rodding !