By best accounts, Ford made approximately 5500 2X4 equipped cars in 1957.  That explains to some degree why there are always Ford 2X4 intakes for sale at any given time on the Internet.  I suspect Buddy Bar actually did the castings for Ford but it is definitely a Ford design.  The 1957 Ford 2X4 intake requires a valley pan with a recess in which to keep from breaking the ears.  Edelbrock, Offenhauser, Edmunds, Fenton, and Weiand also made 2X4 intakes for the Y with quite a few variations in the design but these were sold to the hotrodders directly and not sponsored by Ford.  Although the factory intakes are plentiful, the recessed valley pans, factory carbs, and air cleaners seem to be in short supply.  I have lucked out at swap meets though and found the factory dual quad teapots individually in piles with other carbs and priced right simply because the people selling them did not realize exactly which teapot carb they were.  I’ve found the factory recessed valley pans under two barrel intakes which tells me the parts simply got moved around or the 2X4 intakes were changed out without removing the valley pans.

 

I’m not planning on a 2X4 comparision anytime in the future but will eventually run my own factory Ford 2X4 setup with original teapots on the dyno mule just to validate the 260-285HP factory claim.  Based on the results I’ve already achieved with the Edelbrock 573 3X2 setup and with the Mummert single 4V intake, the factory 2X4 intake is going to make at least the factory rated numbers on the stock headed engine.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

Hi to all, I'm 99% sure that Ford didn't make their dual quad manifolds for the Y-blocks.  There were several aftermarket companies that would have loved to get that contract from Ford.  I think they were probably made by Weiand, I know Weiand made intakes for the Z-28 scrubs so they did manufacturing for the big three.  The edelbrock manifolds are generally heavier, thicker castings which is a good thing.  The Ford dual quad intakes tend to crack on the bottom where the exhaust heat passages go through.  Edelbrock did make at least two dual quad Y-block intakes, a 257 (large port) and a 255 (not sure about that number) which is smaller port of course.  I think there are others, possibly Fenton or Offy or Weiand.  Anyone who has better information, please jump in here.  I'm going from memory from my drag racing days in the 60's.  Have fun, Nick Brann - K.C., MO

Seems to me that Ford never actualy made the manifolds. I think Edlebrock made them. Or am I wrong on this one?

That's more or less what he's doing.


Lawrenceville, GA

    While Ted is working out the best carb combo/573 Edelbrock manifold setup,I was wondering if Ford was the only one that made a 2x4's manifold or did the after market make any?If so,which one was the best(like the 573 Edelbrock for tri-power)?I know that Ted's hands are full with all the dyno testing the tri-power setups"BUT"----How about a carb/manifold shootout between the best Tri-power vs dual quad vs John Mummert's new alum. 4 barrel manifold/4 barrel carb(Holley-Road Demon-Edelbrock ?) tested on a medium built Y-Block(only thing that changes is manifold /carb combos)!Might save some of us a few $  on the carb/manifold choice for our particlur engine combo(although tri-power sure looks kool).KID