I just purchased a 4bbl intake to put back on my 1968 302 engine. Someone along the line decided to put a 2bbl on it. My question is, the intake I purchased is a used original intake for this motor and the bottom aluminum bowl has one of the compression screws broke. First, can you use the intake without this bowl on it? Second, if not, where can you locate one of these compression screws? I have been to a few auto parts places and they have nothing. Not sure exactly what purpose this bowl serves. Anyone that can help would be appreciated. I tried to describe it the best way that I can. I can also gets pics if that will help anyone. Thanks.

 

you dont need that friggen thing, but if you REALLY wanna install it you can drill and tap the hole for something small like a machine screw or a 1/4-20 and then use a dab of threadlocker to make sure you dont loose a bolt into your lifter valley

 

Thanks. I was hoping I really did not need it. I didn't want to put something else in there that would fall out while driving it down the road.

 

That piece is only there to help keep hot oil off of that part of the intake, as it likely has an exhaust cross over which would turn the oil into soot almost immediately.

 

Actually that splash pan has another important function. Hot oil on the bottom of the intake plenum was considered to be a deterrent toefficient combustion. The theory was that as the hot oil splashed the bottom of the manifold , the bottom of the plenum would heat up , the heat would transfer to the fuel mixture running on thefloor of the plenum and cause detonation, poor combustion , poor performance etc ...

In reality, we all know that the fuel actually runs along the top of the intake runner and not along the floor. With that said you probably wouldn't notice much difference with or without the splash pan in place. I agree that you might consider a tap and small screw ( grade 8 or better ) and some high temp thread locker. While you're at it you might check those other factory rivets and make sure they are sturdy. If they aren't remove them and use more bolts. Be careful though because typically small parts bouncing around inside an engine will lead to big parts bouncing around in an engine.


OR , I guess you could just remove it altogether.

Hope this helps, Dean