Cast iron intake identification

[Rex T.]

A friend of mine has a small block Chevy 4 bbl cast iron intake with casting number 3873488 or possibly 3673488. Does anyone know what this was originally installed on?

Thanks,
Rex

[Tom D.]

Rex: Do you know the date on it? *NM*

[Rex T.]

Re: Rex: Do you know the date on it?

He said he can't find a cast date, but it appears to be for a Rochester Q-jet carb, based on the throttle bore holes.

[Joe L.]

Re: Cast iron intake identification

Rex-----

I suspect the number is actually 3973469. With casting numbers, the "3", "6", "8", and "9" are very often confused.

The 3973469 was used for most 1971 350 cid small blocks with 4 barrel Rochester carbs. It should have cylinder numbers cast on the end of each runner and no provisions for an oil filler tube.

[Rex T.]

Re: Cast iron intake identification

My friend says he has now bead blasted the intake and the numbers "appear" to be 3673463 with a date code of B181. Any ideas?

Thanks,
Rex

[Joe L.]

Re: Cast iron intake identification

Rex-----

If it were a Chevrolet part number, it would be from the very early 50's. They didn't have Q-Jets then.

In any event, the date code looks a whole lot like it fits for the 1971 manifold I described earlier. Does the manifold have the cylinder numbers on the ends of each runner?

[Rex T.]

Re: Cast iron intake identification

Yes it does have the cylinder numbers embossed on the runners, so it's probably the intake you named. When did they begin adding the cylinder numbers on the intake?

Thanks,
Rex

[Joe L.]

Re: Cast iron intake identification

Rex-----

1971 was the first year. I don't know of ANY small block or big block manifold that had that feature prior to that year.