74 t/a shaker/intake options...
 

Hello sages

I have a 74 t/a with a modified shaker, a 70 455 and a crusty cast iron intake.

I'm getting a mild performance rebuild but what aluminum intake options are available that clear the shaker?

Would i have to acquire the butler drop kit or does it make more sense to clean up the old iron one?

Thanks!

a performer will fit the stock shaker as well as the holley street dominator. also a tomahawk or whatever its called now will fit under teh shaker.

depending on the power level of the engine, a factory iron intake is better than a performer & likely better than the single plain for average street driving. a modified/ported stock iron intake will perform as good or better than most aluminum intakes if below about 500hp & all the linkage & brackets will line up as they should compared to aftermarket intakes. clean up & gasket match or modify the iron intake is the cheapest & easiest option.

Your best options not in any order are to use the intake off of the 70 455 if you are not worried about emissions inspection. Second would be the intake from any 74 4 bbl. Pontiac engine. And the last would be to buy a 70-72 aluminum reproduction 455 HO intake. All will put the shaker where it was from the factory and no clearance problems the 70-72 HO 455 would be the lightest on the front end.

Clean up your crusty iron intake and rejoice knowing you don’t have to cobble or modify one single thing while at the same time outperforming those other aftermarket intakes for anything up to 500 horsepower.

The shaker air cleaner setup is a focal point of the entire engine and car, you’ll know it’s located exactly where it belongs using your iron intake.

Saving 25 pounds or so just isn’t worth it on a 3,800 pound car for the hassle you’ll go through trying to make an aftermarket aluminum intake work.

If you don’t mind the cost a reproduction aluminum HO intake is nice but in most cases those ports are a poor match and might make you wish you stayed with the tried and true iron intake.

Ok this makes a lot of sense...thx for the replies!

The intake has some rust deposits on it. Should I get it media blasted and powder coated or just sand and paint it?

Not looking for concurs obviously but what color is it supposed to be? An oxide or Pontiac blue?

Sorry For all the questions and i appreciate the advice.

Myself I’d get it bead blasted (used to be able do this myself for no cost at one of my old jobs) and paint it with the correct color Pontiac blue engine paint.

The experts here can advise you exactly what paint color was used in ‘74 which is probably close to one of the Ford light blue engine paints. Or no matter what painting it the same color as the rest of the engine if that’s already been painted would be great.

Pressure wash it thoroughly before painting, cleaning any media from the inside passages especially. Sanding and painting won’t get it done right and will take forever anyway.

If Qjet, then use a factory intake.

If you are going to use a Holley, then consider an old square bore P4B intake.

I tested several intakes on my mild 455, on a chassis dyno. The P4B actually performed very well. It also gave a lot of hood clearance, a bit more than the Performer.

I found an NOS service replacement 1972 455HO intake to use with Fitech on my 455 under a 1974 Formula hood, perfect! Price was good too, $400.

Ok ill get it bead blasted and clean it up. Anyone know the paint color they used for 74? I'm Trying to fix an SD tribute car. Waiting to find out from the machine shop if she is good for rebuild as she developed a bad knock last fall right after i purchased the car.

I'll probably stick with the qjet and get it rebuilt as well.

Thanks!

http://www.pontiacpower.org/enginecolor.htm
Good reference.

Thanks, this is perfect 👌