I have an opportunity to get an aluminum Ford 4-bbl 302 manifold for $80. Is that a good deal? I've never priced anything like that before. Right now I have the standard cast iron 2-bbl manifold and would eventually like to go to a 4-bbl.
manifold Is it a Ford factory or an aftermarket such as Edelbrock or Wiend? Try and find a number on it and then look in some catalogs for the price of a new on. Or go to ebay and try to find the same thing and see how much they are getting for them. Just make sure it is in decent shape and "all" bolt holes are not stripped and no cracks visable. It sounds like it could be a good price otherwise.
manifold If it's a older Ford one, they can be worth some money, especially the old Corba ones. Any of the other types, it's still a good buy. As long as it's not all beatup.
Be careful that the thing is not warped. I once bought one used, put it on my old mav. The coolant just leaked right on out! I took it to a machine shop and they reground it. I think you can take a strait edge, and lay it on down the ports to check it. Then use a feeler gauge to search for voids. hope this helps, Mark
Re: intakes If you cannot find any aftermarket names such as Edelbrock, Holley, Offen&*%# or whatever in it, it is probably a factory Ford piece. Most likely at that price it is probably one of the early to mid 80's intakes. IF so it should have lots of waffled embossments around it and a part number beginning with the letter 'E'. If it is one of the older 'Cobra' intakes, less likely but you never know, then it should be a steal at $80 whether it is original or reproduction. Along with checking the ports for warpage, check the plug holes for stripped threads. Ex. thermostat housing, heater hose plugs, sending unit plugs etc. If it is the 80's Ford intake, I would save the $80 and put it towards a Edelbrock or similar intake. You can buy them on E-bay in new or used condition(beware) or from people like Summit or Jegs or P.A.W. for $125 or so plus shipping. Good Luck Seth
