Good friend with a '71 W-30, [most loaded 442 I've ever seen] has a cast iron intake on it. Bought it from a Dr. that wasn't into originality, just 'creature comforts'. Low miles, supposedly all original.
He was told the aluminum manifold was a 'option' on the W-30 in '71, and since I never heard that one, figured I'd ask.

Did the 1971 W-30 come with a cast iron manifold, with the aluminum manifold as an option?
Anyone got the correct aluminum manifold for sale?
Is the one the Parts Place sells an exact repo?

Thanks -

 

No, it came with aluminum, but your dealer could install the cast iron one relatively cheap back then.

They claim it is, the only difference I saw was there are no date codes on the bottom like originals. Hope this helps and by the way that Parts Place intake is super nice. IMHO.
Scot

 

the parts place looks great and isn't cracked, warped, or damaged but I bet someone on this list could tell the difference from a real one besides the date code on the bottom.... but I don't know myself. And yes aluminum was standard on a 71 W30

 

It would be easier to place the repop next to the real one,to tell the differences.The petina & textures are different.Subtle changes of some shapes on teh outside,and in the runners.
Just remember,there is no such thing as an exact reproduction.It's not allowed.