I see a ECB 9425 B intake listed on Craigslist.  My research shows it is a '55 ("182 H.P. Special" with F/M) and the picture shows it has the choke actuator built into the manifold.

I have a F100 with 60's small valve heads and want to maximize low end (I want the engine to be a truck engine).  I rarely get the engine to 3,500 rpms. My plans are replace the 2bbl manifold with a 4bbl, add RAM horn exhaust, and advance the cam timing (with new chain) 6-8 degrees.  Will the ECB 9425 B be a good choice to improve low end?  I understand an adapter will be needed to add a modern small 4 bbl and the choke actuator will need to be blocked off.    

While the ECB-B intake will provide a boost in low end performance over a 2V intake, overall performance is still going to be trailing substantially behind the ECZ-B intake.  If the engine it’s going on is simply a daily driver, then it will be a good low end torque manifold and does at least allow modern carbs to be used with an adapter.  The key here is to not give too much $ for one of those manifolds as the money is better spent on the later 4V intake (ECZ-B).

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

Thank you for the quick reply.  They want $150 and it needs blasting and painting and you still have the unsightly block off for the choke.  I saw a ECZ on eBay for $250 so that sounds like a better deal. 

I've got an ECZ9425-A that would require an adapter but doesn't have the choke mount on the manifold. $75 + shipping. You could email @ roadqwesty914@comcast.net if you're interested. Can send pictures.

Marc


Marc

'54 Merc ragtop

Pt Townsend, WA   

                                                                                                                                   

The ECB-B intake at $150 is probably best left for someone doing a stock restoration, say on a Power Pack Crown Vic. The ECZ-A is likely a decent buy or if you want to go beyond that, as Ted indicates, a 57 and later "B' intake, but you likely don't really need it, & they usually run in the $200 range in good shape.     


Paul

If you go with an A manifold with an adapter find a small CFM for best street performance. Carter AFB's were available down to 400 CFM, Edelbrock's start at 500, and Holley's offer one for off road at 465/470 CFM and maybe some here can comment on possibly using a 390 CFM. There are also all of the Autolite's used on the 289 Mustangs that matches the linkage real well..

If you don't want to use an adapter, Carter and Rochester in the 50's made small base 4 barrels and all are right at 400 CFM. I used a Carter for a 331" 1953 Cadillac on my 292 for 3 years and it was perfect before going to dual quads. Good Luck.....

56 Vic, B'Ville 200 MPH Club Member, So Cal.

The ECB9425B is the intake manifold for the 1955 Thunderbird.  The only Tbird with the choke on the intake manifold.  The carb that fits on there is the tea pot, 4000.  The 1957 TBird had the Holley 4150.  If anybody cares, I have the correct numbers for the 4000 carb that goes with the intake manifold.  It is my understanding that about 8,000 of the 16,000 1955 TBirds are still running.  But my anecdotal observation is that a number of them are running the 4150 Holley, not the 4000.  Thing is, the air filter won't fit using the 1957 Tbird intake manifold and Holley carb.  The hood won't close.  Sometimes you'll see an original air filter on a 1955 that has the 57 setup.  But that air filter has been trimmed.  One would think that an authentic numbered intake manifold for the 1955 TBird in good condition would be worth more than $100.  I took me over a year to find my ECB9425B and almost that long to find the Holley 4000.  Nobody is racing a stock 1955 Tbird anymore that I am aware of.  It is my understanding that when property overhauled the 4000 Holley is a good carb.  My two cents.  Enjoyed the comments.

Allan, Welcome to the Y-block forum. You posted some very good info on the 4 barrel manifolds and follow up comments from others were very helpful. Noticed this is an old thread, wonder where original poster is? Anyways, I did not know of subtle differences regarding the choke. I have a 55 TBird that came with the 57 manifold and Holly carb, Load-a-Matic distributor and non-stock air filter plus other body mods that would make it very costly to go back to original. Before getting on the road again I have brake work and a 57 tach drive dizzy to install. As for the teapot, I drove my 56 quite a lot back in the day and never had carb problems - Bob

AKA   Bob-93021

 
 This is an ECB-B manifold with the 4 barrel spacer i purchased through Speedway. I have not run the car yet but I sure don't like interruption in flow. I think if I had to do it again I would hunt down an ECZ.......



1955 tbird 

There are tapered adapters available, I think from Speedway.  You can also scribe the manifold and open it up to match the spacer.


Lawrenceville, GA