1980's mustang alluminum 4bbl intake- and carb contrast.

Were the intake manifolds special for mustangs, or were they the same on all other fords with 4bbl's during the 80's?
iTis alluminum
I need one.
May be cheap!
Are they less than 80% the potential as a newer intake of today? From say, Edelbrock?
-in a 306 with raised compression
What if I were to get a 2BBL carb adapter and run a predator?
Would the milage suck even if I took it EASY?
Would it be as good as a four wide open?
Would it be better with a 2bbl intake?
Sometimes I feel like a big two barrel can be more responsive than a four.
Even an autolite.
If a 2bbl is the same cfm as a 4bbl, wouldnt less parts make it more powerfull on the dump- Like an efi can seem to do along the lines of being smooth?
Especially in the street, I feel that the mechanical sequence of the 4bbl can put you over the edge like in a chicane if you are at the throttle positions transition point for that time? Where as the 2bbl would allow you to go right through it-without having to consider the variables. I know the fuel injection rules in a lot of ways, but its got to go.  

I have one of those in a pile of "Gee. what if" stuff. The pad for the carb was really low, and the passages to the head were small... I don't know what cfm the holley was, but it was engineered for emissions, and low end torque. With a autolite 2 bbl. and a 1 inch plastic spacer and a dual snorkle air cleaner, with homemade ram air, it would be potent from stop light to stoplight, and deliver good mileage. Your upper end may suffer, not sure. I guess I would check to see if the intake and carb was the same on a police special mustang.[seen one run down a vette]I don't think I would bother to gasket match to the head. if I wanted to keep my power on the low end. This is open to discussion, cause someone may have done that, and gained power.  

>Are they less than 80% the potential as a newer intake of today? From say, Edelbrock?
I'm sure - just a cast aluminum intake, primarily for weight reduction

>What if I were to get a 2BBL carb adapter and run a predator?
Why

>Would the milage suck even if I took it EASY?
Depends on many more factors than the intake

>Would it be as good as a four wide open?
Not likely

>Would it be better with a 2bbl intake?
Gas mileage?  4bbl can get the same or better in normal driving.

>Sometimes I feel like a big two barrel can be more responsive than a four.
>Even an autolite.
Depends on the tune up and overall car setup

>If a 2bbl is the same cfm as a 4bbl, wouldnt less parts make it more powerfull >on the dump- Like an efi can seem to do along the lines of being smooth?
Probably not - because to flow the same CFM, the venturis in the 2 would need to be considerably larger and therefore less responsive to quick changes in engine demand.  A 4 bbl vacuum secondary carb will only respond with more CFM when air flow reaches the point where the engine needs the extra flow.

>Especially in the street, I feel that the mechanical sequence of the 4bbl can >put you over the edge like in a chicane if you are at the throttle positions >transition point for that time? Where as the 2bbl would allow you to go right >through it-without having to consider the variables. I know the fuel injection >rules in a lot of ways, but its got to go.  
My only comment here is that if you're running hard on the street and put it in the weeds, too bad for you and I'd hope you didn't take anybody with you.  
1967 Falcon 4 door 351C-4V
1970 Mustang 351C-2V
http://raceabilene.com/kelly/hotrod
Owner built, owner abused.

NO!!! I'm too old for that- I just like to have an Idea of the level of operability that I want! I appreciate your reply as well. The wieght savings alone is worth the intake and fuel supply swap- This place is more buildings than weeds nowadays- Kind of hard on the quarters!  

The only four barrel I've ever owned was on a rotary rx7- The wankle took the jimini-jump! out of the feeling that other fours have given me- This is it- It will be my first.  

80 or 81 mustangs with a 255 V8 had aluminum intakes...  they also used a valley pan intake manifold gasket as ford wanted to keep the hot oil off the bottom of the intake...  

Felpro / Intake Manifold Gasket 1980 Ford Mustang 4.2L 2BL 8cyl Part Number: MS96035

just thought you might like to know this...


78 to 80 351W in econoline vans also used a valley pan intake manifold gasket.. i have always thought that it might work great under a 351W aftermarket intake.. but i have not had any 351W pass through my hands..  

FWIW - valley pans do about zip on a street engine, especially with an aluminum intake.  If you want to better control heat in the intake you block the exhaust crossover.  Valley pans are an excellent source of intake leaks too.  351Cs came with them also, a nice PITA on a 4V head engine.  
1967 Falcon 4 door 351C-4V
1970 Mustang 351C-2V
http://raceabilene.com/kelly/hotrod
Owner built, owner abused.