53sled

I am building a 53 chevy solid axle gasser style car, 455/th400, and I think I found the perfect manifold to use on the passenger side, a driver side 425 center dump, but they are hard to find. would a 80s nodel 307 manifold work? Any other places I can look for something?

Header choices seem to be nill.

Thanks,
David.

Oldsmaniac

The center dump driver's side manifold is what Olds used on their full size cars, B bodies from 1965 to 1970.....most of these cars were single exhaust so they should be everywhere.....The passenger sid manifold has 2 ports, one for exit and one for the crossover pipe from the driver's side manifold, the 307 most likely be different if similar to an A body and the ports may be smaller since its a small block....I bet if you posted on realoldspower wanted you would get some action.

2blu442

Welcome to the site David. I've got a couple of those center dump 425 manifolds. I'm sure I'm not the only one on the board, so you might consider posting a parts wanted ad under the parts wanted section. If you do please post your city and state, or at least the nearest large city and state to see if someone close by has one. Send me your zip code if you want a price including shipping from Southern Oregon. John

Oldsguy

I would think that you would have room for headers in a '53 gasser. There are big block headers out there and they aren't too expensive. Unless you just want to use cast manifolds. Welcome to CO.

joe_padavano

307 manifolds from the early 80s (5A heads) will bolt up but flow poorly. The later welded tubular manifolds on the 7A heads have smaller ports and flow even worse. In any case, all 307 manifolds are rear dump, not center dump, so how does this help? Besides, the 307 manifolds will definitely hurt breathing and HP on that motor.

53sled

I'd also like to know how the non-triangulated motor mount can not break from torque stress? Just seems like it could twist right off. Any pics of non-stock applications?

Mostly just looking for a source for a center dump manifold, headers that don't point right at the firewall or even block huggers, its a shame these won't fit, only up to 403, as advertised, or would they...

64Rocket

You might look at the Headman headers short type. They are listed for the small block OLDS. They will bolt up to your engine, but I'm not sure of the clearence. But since you are making a gasser type , maybe they will work.
Those you show will bolt up to your engine, you may have to use a mini starter.
Gene
Part Number 58160
Product Name Block Hugger Hedders
Application -
Variations 58166,
Head Flange Gasket 27800
Related Products Hedder Flange Gaskets - 27800
Block Hugger Hedders - 58166B
Application Notes: 15. Shortie style hedder. Maximum ground clearance.
SB. Small Block

53sled

Well, I can make any adjustments needed to clear, since I have a blank slate right now. I may just end up with those headers.

joe_padavano

Those will bolt right up to a 455. Since they are shorties and not full length, the typical small-block-headers-on-a-big-block fitment problems will not be an issue here.

gbodyfan

sanderson makes a header for big block that looks like a center dump