72 350 intake hot air passages blocked

[brown7373]

I am installing a crate 350 to re-place my original 350 that died. I will use my original intake and Q-jet. My intake center passage under the carb is filled, as is the center in my original heads which I am not going to use.

The new engine heads are NOT filled in the center. Will I have any issues if I install the intake with the passage filled on heads that are open there? I live in south Florida so getting the carb warmed up has never been an issue.

[rockyrivermark]

Post a pic.
When I put in edelbrock intake the firewall passages were blocked off
That's how I remember it anyway.
Mark

[towbar]

shouldn't be any issues, just heat passages to warm the carb in cold weather.....shouldn't be a problem in FL. May want to run the thick Qjet base gasket to prevent heat soak of the carb but I wouldn't have any worries with that combo.

[Ironangel]

I would clean the intake and block off the openings with the stainless block offs that come with the intake gaskets. My motor wont go until that intake is warmed up summer or winter. Just don't take as long when it's 80 or 90 out. Cleaning and using the block offs will help the intake maintain a stable lower temp, warm is good, hot is not and a solid core will hold the heat while the rest of the intake is cooler. Wont kill the motor but it will rob some power by heating the charge to the center four cylinders and possibly overheat the carb...

[Mike_The_Grad]

If you're using the stock cast iron intake on the newer crate motor and the exhaust crossover ports are filled in the stock cast iron intake then I would suggest an intake manifold gasket WITHOUT the exhaust crossover port provision. I've heard of the intake manifold gaskets where people put the restrictor plates in and had the plates burn through over time. The gaskets are available with or without these ports. The gaskets with out the ports will hold up much better over time and help against any vacuum leaks from developing due to the inserts possibly moving or blowing out. Just my .02 sense.

[brown7373]

Thanks for the comments. Just to restate, the original intake is filled, the new heads on the engine are not. Is that hot air exhaust, or what? So I should get intake gaskets that block the port to insure a good seal.

[Mike_The_Grad]

I would recommend it yes. I was recommended to do it when I was replacing my intake manifold, haven't had any issues yet.