[farmcars]

I have a 63 389, i believe out of a Bonneville. I am new to the group and am looking for info on replacing the 2 bl intake with a 4. Can anyone help with an aftermarket replacement with gaskets, or know where i can find a OE intake? I have an Edelbrock Ep4b, but the water pump mount bolt is stripped and needs to be re-threaded and filled in. I'm leary about doing it and having problems down the road. PICS WITH HEAD#'S ETC AND ENGINE/MANIFOLDS

[tom s]

You will need a 61-64 intake,I dont think any new are being made at this time.I would search Ebay for used intakes.Your EP4 would be good but not sure what it would take to make it all right to use.Put a parts wanted ad on this site.Tom

[694.1]

Where are you located? Looks like you are off to a great start.
PM sent

[77 TRASHCAN]

A legit machine could fix that....not many around, though.

[T.Weber]

Have you thought about using a stainless threaded insert? NOT a Helicoil. Here's a Link to McMaster-Carr they do sell to the public. For a 3/8" - 16 bolt you drill out the hole to 29/64" and tap to 1/2 -20 and thread in the insert. I just can't remember of the intake uses a 5/16 bolt or 3/8 bolt there. On the link click on the Helicoil icon then scroll down to where it says "Easy-to-Install Thread-Locking Inserts" They work very well and no "Special" tap needed

https://www.mcmaster.com/threaded-inserts

[ponyakr]

Here's one for $150 + shipping. Don't know anything about it. Can get it cheaper if you pick it up in TN.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1961-1962-1...cAAOSw699daKW2

[hurryinhoosier62]

Originally Posted by farmcars

I have a 63 389, i believe out of a Bonneville. I am new to the group and am looking for info on replacing the 2 bl intake with a 4. Can anyone help with an aftermarket replacement with gaskets, or know where i can find a OE intake? I have an Edelbrock Ep4b, but the water pump mount bolt is stripped and needs to be re-threaded and filled in. I'm leary about doing it and having problems down the road. PICS WITH HEAD#'S ETC AND ENGINE/MANIFOLDS

Easy fix. What you need is called a Time-Cert. It is a thick walled stainless steel threaded repair sleeve. They are far stronger than Helicoils. Any machine shop that can find their butts without both hands and a map SHOULD be able in install one for well under $100.

[FMile Pontiacs]

I have 2 x 4 intake if your interested?

[farmcars]

Originally Posted by FMile Pontiacs

I have 2 x 4 intake if your interested?

I’d love to but I only have 1 real nice carb

[77 TRASHCAN]

Find out which size fine thread tap will clean up hole. Hole may need to be drilled slightly deeper before tapping. Get proper size fine thread bolt, screw it all the way in with stoutest loctite made. Cut it off a fuzz lung. Test fit intake on engine with intake gaskets. Grind bolt to proper length. Install the timing cover. Drill an tap the hole...

[hobbygto65]

I've got a 4bbl intake off of my 63 Catalina you can have for 50 bucks plus the ride if you want it.

[Goatracer1]

Where do you live? if close by I have a stock 4bbl manifold that you can have for free. It's too heavy and bulky to ship.

[389]

First thing you want to do is hammer a freeze plug into both exhaust ports for the intake heat. Todays gasoline does NOT need to be heated lol.. I think I use the 1-1/4" plug but I cant remember.

I would use the stock 61-64 AFB manifold with a Carter AFB.. Its an excellent intake. That 389 4 bbl with the 068 cam is a wonderful engine, smooth and powerful..

[Goatracer1]

If you block the exhaust cross over your choke won't open. If you really want to do that install an electric choke.

[389]

Blocking those exhaust ports really helped my 389 run better. This new ethanol doesn't like to be heated and before doing this I was having all kinds of weird things happen. The engine would just shut off at red lights and not start until I pumped some gas into the carb. Going up steep hills in the heat, I would get this weird bogging.
I had the intake off one day painting it and decided to hammer two freeze plugs into those ports so the paint would stay nice. Low and behold after doing that the motor ran slightly smoother. I just removed the choke and never needed it.
I haven't had any issues with stalling or bogging after doing that and that 389 ran better. That 389 with the four speed hydro, ran so nice... I pulled it for a performance 462/Turbo 400 and never really enjoyed that car after doing that, I should of left well enough alone...

[farmcars]

Thanks for the great info everyone, still looking.

[Ragtop Man]

Heated choke tube that dips the crossover can get old and porous over time, resulting in a frustrating and hard to track vacuum leak. Get a new one, or bypass for an electric choke.

Agree on the AFB and -068 cam!

[Ragtop Man]

... Also for the heated manifold... GM had very strict product acceptability standards. Even a bad ass tri power engine with a long cam had to start and run smoothly within a set time period, no matter how cold the test was (at least 0 deg. F) - force heat into the crossover under manifold to get the mixture atomizing.