I recently started to fabricate a new intake/exhaust header for my 223 I6 and thought I would share a few pictures as I progress in the build. I think it's going to be a one of a kind in its uniqueness and would like to hear from experiences builders what they think of it. This is what I have for the carburetor riser. My tig skills need some refining. There will definitely be more to come, I'm currently working on the intake ports and chamber that the carburetor riser will sit on.
This could be interesting. First thought of mine is Ice,ing but I'll wait to make that comment. The Wizzard
Intake is coming along nicely, a few more pipes and end caps and I'll be on to the exhaust portion of the build. In my opinion it's not bad for the first header I've ever attempted.
You've got my attention. What carb will it be topped with? How about the heat exchange from the exhaust? Are you gonna fab your own exhaust manifold or headers? Keep us posted. Subscribed. Thanks
This is for a Holley 4412, the square holes left in the flange are for the exhaust. It's going to be an intake and exhaust all in one assembly. I've been thinking of the heat exchange. Not 100% on that just yet.
That thing looks awesome! IVe wanted to make one for the 6 that came out of my 54 F100. love to see how this works out.
Got some work done to it recently. Added the final intake tubes. Going to sand blast the interior chamber before capping the ends though, get the slag and weld BB's out so I don't suck one in to my engine. I got started on the first exhaust tube as well.
Looks like a lot of plenum area.....may have trouble with stumbling-dead spot issues...if you do maybe a pyramid shaped divider under the carb would speed up your velocity and make a stronger "signal"
Ok, here's what I've got for the heat exchange. I'm hoping that radiant heat from the number 2 to number 5 exhaust tubes will be enough. It's the best idea that I've had. Here are the number 3 & 4 exhaust tubes to give an idea of how close they are to the intake portion. This was a difficult bit of TIG welding, it shows in the weld too. Cylinders 1 & 6 will be identical, cylinders 2 & 5 will be identical and fall in between 1 & 6 and 3 & 4 and also dip under as 3 & 4 do. Confused yet? Anyone have any ideas or suggestions for where I can find a 6 pipe (1.5" OD) to 1 collector (2" to 2.5")?
I buy a lot of product from S.P.D. Exhaust. Google up there web sight and look at there line of products. You'll be impressed. Here is something I've learned after building many a set of custom headers. I build all the tubes complete flange to collector before I ever weld them to the Flange plate. I also pressure test all tubes. It's way easier to stop a leak before everything is welded together. You mentioned the less than perfect welds on your flanges. I'll make a guess here and ask if you cleaned the bend lube out of the pipe before you started welding? That stuff can cause you all kinds of Grief. The Wizzard
The wizzard gave you good tips. Looks like a large assembly. I'm sure you checked for clearances, for instance for the steering box, engine mounts, shift rods if you've got manual? Keep it up
I've got a 3 speed column shifter manual, hood clearance shouldn't be an issue, that six is a tiny little thing under the 59 F100 hood. I could park Fords largest big block under that hood without worrying about clearances up there. It's a front and back mount engine, nothing bolted to the sides. The steering gearbox is the largest concern, but even that isn't all too concerning. I've been able to stand in my engine bay next to my engine while doing head work before.
I will definitely keep this in mind the next time I build a header, learn as you go right? I pray to God that I don't run into a leak as some of these joints have stupidly small clearances for any weld process. I wish I could say that the bad TIG welds were from improperly cleaned parts, sadly though, I'm just a crappy TIG welder. I'm working on it though. Thank you for pointing me to S.P.D. Exhaust, it looks like they'll be able to help me with what I need.
Ridiculously limited! I've only found one header for a 223 and intakes are pretty much limited to manifold style offenhouser 1, 2, or 3 carb setups. I might have seen a manifold style 2 barrel intake once too. But that's it, 223's are under rated and overshadowed by the more popular 300's.
It may not be the sexiest header/intake in the world but by God it's mine and I built it. I'm about as far as I can go until I get a merge collector for it. I'm really excited to get it on a vehicle. Got the ends capped and the last two exhaust tubes on.
Interesting sculpture you have going there. Will be curious to see how well it works. What are you plans for the ignition? Fairly certain you will have to loose the O.E. Load-Matic distributor. -Dave
Sorry for the long absence folks. Life sort of happened and this intake has made it no further than its last picture. My old Fairlane put a connecting rod through its block and the F-100 that this is for is currently going through a cab back mini resto job due to the springs and hangers being shot. I do hope to finish this build some day. Hopefully sooner rather than later. I'm building this so I can run a small turbo (roughly 8 PSI) on my 223 and a single dump would work best for that. The ignition is still stock with the small upgrade of ditching the points and replacing them with a drop in electronic ignition. If that doesn't work then I'll probably look into an MSD control box and coil setup. I'm still a long way from needing to figure this out for certain though. Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Factory ignition is vacuum advance only. You will need to look at converting to the Ford 300 L6 distributor, or maybe find an old Mallory mechanical only advance distributor. Good luck. -Dave
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