VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 1931 Chevy manifold change

I would like to put 1946 pickup manifolds and W-1
carburetor onto my 1931 Chevy coupe {194 cu in}
Hoping for inproved perfromance.{all stock}
Any reason why this will not work?
Thanks 46 Dave

As long as you have a chop saw and welder the modifications are not too hard. Then you will have to make adapter to compensate for manifold and head passage diameters.

Why not just mill the block, install domed pistons, heavier valve springs, studs (replacing the soft head bolts), port and polish the head, increase the intake valve diameter, regrind the camshaft and use premium gas. If you can get the compression up to 10.5:1 then you can at least tripple (rhymes with cripple) the HP. The engine should last at least to the end of the block before something breaks. That is if you don't push it too hard during intial start and break-in.

Dave,
I am unable to tell if Chiiper was being funny or just rude, but a quick comparison of your manifold port spacing and bolt spacing will reveal that your plan has problems.
If downdraft carburation is your goal, a 1932 or 1933 manifold should do the trick. The W-1 carb will fit, however, exhaust pipe angle, location, etc could also be an issue.
Mike

Perhaps Dave should take a second and read our mission statement on the home page.

Mike, Dave,
A little of both. Or with tongue firmly pressed sideways to its maximum length.

Actually increasing the compression would be more effective in improving performance than just manifold and carburation. The '33 option is the best if carb and manifold is what is desired. And you should also change the head to a 1933 as the combustion chamber design was much, much, much better. If you do that then use the '33 head bolts. Oh ya, the '33 push rods, valve train too. If you up the compression too much then you will need to install studs or hardened bolts as you can only torque the originals to ~60 ft.lbs. before they streeeeeeeaaaaaach. OOps almost forgot the '33 or later distributor with vacuum advance and side cover too.

Why not just buy a good '33? or '34? or '35? if you want the performance that they will give? I guess it is those that are never satisfied with original performance that have contributed to many of the improvements over the years. I will take my 10 lashes and remove my dislexic fingers from the keys.

Chipper,
You are a classy guy, no matter what everyone else says about you.
Mike

Thanks Mike,Chirper and Chataster.What I have is a
1931 Chevy motor{no manifold}and a 1946 maniflod
{no motor}.The thing I do not have is money.
My purpose is to get the 31 runing not to offend Royalty---Thanks Dave

Well It looks to me that unless you can arrange a trade Your 46 manifold and carb for a 31 manifold and carb, the least you can get by with is to at least have a 31 manifold if the 46 carb won't bolt to the 31 manifold you could cut off the 31 carb flange and also cut off the carb flange on the 46 and graft it onto the 31 manifold. Then you would be forced build a fuelline, choke, throttle and accelerator linkages, but you probably can make it work, don't know abot any extra performance you may or may not realize..... I would expect maybe a series of postings would make a 31 manifold available for alittle output of funds, I can say that , but I don't have anything except an old 216 intake off a 1951. I had a Carter carb for it but I gave it to a guy to use on his 31 firetruck. ( he couldn't use it because it leaked.)

Huh?? :confused: :confused: :confused: Macky Wacky, you are rambling again! ha ha! :eek: :eek:

Might as well make it a street-rod while you`re at it!

JYD, why don't you just send the guy one of the many manifolds and carbs you have hanging in your shop?Maybe he will send you one of those Napoleonic what-ma-callits you been looking for!

Naw! I already have 26 of those "what-cha-ma-call-its"! :eek: :eek: :eek:

Ok!

Is this a good way to attract new members?

The 216 manifolds are shorter,ports have different locations,etc...will not work.

I have a 29 manifold which is free to you, Dave, if you will pay the shipping. It is different from the 30-31 manifold you need but I will leave it to the gang to tell us what the differences are. I only know that the parts catalog shows two different numbers. I believe any updaft carb for 29-30-31 will work with this manifold and your existing linkage. If I am wrong, I'm sure we'll know about it soon.
Mike

My parts list has 29-33 gaskets as the same so I think it should work on 31. BTY 29-31 uses updraft carburetor, later uses down draft.

The '29 manifold lacks the heating section which greatly improves the vaporization of the fuel. It will work on the '31 engine with no modifications but will be a little more cold blooded. There are plenty of 29-31 Carter carbs around. Try to find one that is complete and relatively clean and not corroded inside.