421 SD Bathtub intake
 

I thought I would start a new thread with the interest from board members.I just got the intake I bought.This is a diff version from any I have driven.Randy Williams built this one for the Pontiac racer and collector Bill Blair.It is a lot like one version I had dyno tested for him.The originals had a flat plenum floor,this has the V plenum.It has a lot more meat in the intake runners where it mates to the heads.Going to get it scanned and look into have some casted.Tom

This version has the 61-64 water pattern.IF I do them they will have 65 and up!Tom

Good looking piece. Very cool project!

Pontiac started the tunnel ram craze with a killer factory intake. Very cool!!!

Very very cool piece. I would love to have one myself that fits 65 and up..

Keep me posted on this project. I will be happy to put a news item in the magazine about it.

Only you could answer this Tom, but is their anyway to have a single manifold that would accept either water pattern? I ask this because if possible, it would satisfy every ones need with a single casting. I also assume you are considering having them 3D-printed in aluminum rather than a sand casting. It would be interesting to see what the cost factor would be with all the new 3D technology exploding. I have 2 3D metal capable shops withing 20 miles of my house. I would be happy to help if I can. Feel free to PM me if I can help.

I dont want to go that road,IF I loose my mind and decide to do this it will be 65 up water pattern.If someone wants to run it on early heads they would need to remove the water Xover and use a early one along with getting the port work to match the ports.I will have the intake made with RA IV size ports and location with enough material to make bigger.Tom

Well, that would certainly work for me as I have not really worked with the early heads anyway. Are you thinking sand casting or some sort of 3D printed finished product? Or have you not moved to that point yet?

Have not got that far.Have to get this one converted to the late water X over first.Have a ad out for a 66 alu tripower intake before ordering a brand new one.Baby steps.After that is done will get it scanned and then start the process.Tom

Tom, I have no skin in this game, but I think its pretty damn cool that you're doing this!

You have allot of people cheering for you on this project.

This pic will give a better look of the miss match with a stock 69 gasket.Tom

I traced out the mismatch on an Edelbrock head when I was contemplating modifying the heads to match the Bathtub repro (‘64 and earlier style) I owned awhile back.

The addition of a little weld material at the front of the head to allow the water passage to seal and plugging the round coolant hole in the head plus a little machine work would have made it possible.

As a point of reference, I purchased the intake pictured (Dave Johnson reproduced it) for $2000 back in 2007. After playing with it for a while I sold it for $2500 a few years later to a customer of Rick Johnson who was building him a 421 Super Duty. I was no longer pursuing my project and moved it on to someone who needed it.

I did a 859 that way but I think it is more EZ to just use a 66 alu tripower X over to do the Bathtubs.Did one a few years ago this way.Tom

The nice thing about this intake is the runner walls are .400 thick all around so plenty of room the make bigger taller wider ports.Tom

I have decided to have this intake scanned as is before I get it converted.The top for either will be the same anyway but I will have 2 intake bottoms if enough interest is there for both.Tom

That is a great idea because you have a manifold that is correct and fits now for the older heads. Having a digital file of that design could be used at anytime in the future. These parts are so rare, and being so tightly hoarded, getting them in digital form opens them up to many who could never afford an original part. Very appreciative of your efforts.

The intake is out being scanned.Will have it next week and will get it out to get a quote for 3D alu intake.I would like to have anyone that is SERIOUS about getting one for the $2500-$3000 price to PM me with interest in 61-64 or 65 and latter with RA IV size ports.Im told that making molds for just a few would not be price friendly.Im learning way more about getting small run intakes than I wanted.Im told to do molds I would need to make like 20 to be worth it.I will get a price to 3D with alu,carbon fiber and also fire retardant thermal plastic.I think carbon fiber would be REALLY cool.Now we will see who are contenders and who are pretenders!This will be my last effort at doing this.I will have the intake I wanted no matter what.Tom

Don, you could start a column in your mag, titled, What’s Tom up to, today!
The cool things he gets his fingers into, are usually off the scale! Even if it was something he started on and decided not to complete, it would be very worthy print to ALL of us that get your magazine, which includes me! You missed a nice get together this year at Great Bend! Jeff Bolton
Attachment 553896

I got to talk to Arnie’s awesome daughter, Rhonda for a while, at Great Bend, Arnie’s doing well, for all the crap he’s been on through in the last year

PM sent.

OK,have the scan and it got sent out to the pattern maker-foundry today so might have a idea if I will be going forward with this next week.For those interested in a early version they might have to be 3D printed.Tom

hi tom vance heck here go man go i will take one of each put me at top of list as a player good luck

Thanks Vance,only have 3 with interest in the early.I hope that for casting it will only require a mold change for the Xover and flanges.Still working on getting a quote.Tom

I had a long talk with Arnie at a PY show a few years ago. Very nice to talk to and very appreciative of all of us keeping Pontiac alive with our cars.

Did you get my pm a while ago? I’m interested.
SD

Got it on the 15th.Your on the list.Tom

OK,some progress.I need to now get a solid 3D scan for the mold maker.They quoted me a price for one set of molds and seems like it is doable along with the casting charge.Got a off the cuff quote for machining.Looks like I will do a few of the early design to be sure their casting is good enough to make the mold change for the late style.Have 4 people interested in the early style so that can get me a start.More baby steps.Tom

Congratulations! You are making things happen. Good for you.

You're far too humble. From my point of view, these baby steps look like huge strides. :thumbup:

Yes thank you. It would be a dream for me.

... baby footprints - on the Moon ! ;)
Great stuff you got going on Tom

Tom just out of curiosity will these have the GM part number on them like the originals? There is a class I am looking at locally that requires a factory intake with casting number. I don't think any of the repops had them.

Mike,the early repop I have does.The version for the early heads will but not 100 percent sure when we alter the scan for the late heads.If possible they will.Tom

That would be very useful in qualifying for some of the factory equipment type events.

Also be nice on the street just to show some heritage, thanks for the update Tom!



Frank

Tom any news?

John,I need to get my scan into a solid form to have the molds made.That is being worked on as I type.From the quote I got to make the first set of molds and casting the intakes along with a estimate for machining it looks like the $2500 price will work.The first ones cast will be the early style.They will make a couple machining ones to make sure everything is good.It looks like I have interest for about 7 of the earlier now.If that all works we will have the scan modified for the Xover location and port location.We are hoping that only the flange molds will have to be made and not a complete new set of molds.I have interest in about 12-13 of the late style right now.The proof will come after I have a couple done and know they are good and a deposit will need to be given to actually get a run made.More baby steps.But it looks like there is light at the end of the tunnel is not a train!You saw what the ebay one went for with out a correct attached Xover or part numbers went for.Tom

early bathtub
 

Tom, I'm interested in an early one for my 127 heads. Thanks, Mike

Anyone interested please send me a PM as that is how im keeping them.Tom

Tom, this is a very exciting update. Glad to see you are making progress and that this project is finally coming to fruition.

PM
 

Tom did you get my PM, thanks, Mike

I did,your down.Im in Mammoth skiing and fishing and hope there is some good news for me when I get home tomorrow.Tom

Snow coming in tonight, possibly heavy. Have fun. Call when you get home.:D

Update.The first round of getting the scan into a solid ended up to be more than the budget.Im really trying to keep it a $2500.Have another guy(worked at Edelbrock)that says he can do it so waiting for a quote.Im going to post who has said what one they are interested in to confirm.Tom

This is my list of people that say they want a early style.FYI,both styles WILL have the pontiac part number!
Beemergary
New baby
Steves birds
421mike
Baddgoat

This is the list that want a late style
4zpeed
Mgarblik
TA-69
ANDYA
3fastgtos
Sun Tuned
Mike Davis
Mystic missle
brut4s
61-63

There was a couple others that did not say what style so they are not on either list.The first style will be first as thaat was the original scan.If all works well the solid scan can just be changed to the late style on the computer and im told that only a a Xtra mold would be needed when casting.Jury is out.Tom

I'm not sure if you are wanting each of us to come back at you to confirm our interest but if that is what you are seeking then "yes, you can confirm mine". John

Thanks John

Anyone new please PM me with your choice or if you did and not on the list.Tom

Tom
I’m on the wrong list I think.

I am interested in the 65 and up head intake.
Not the early style.

Just to clarify

Your on the late style!How is my dizzy doing?Tom