3X2 For 1963 Sports Roadster

[swb369]

I am interested in a 3X2 carb set up for my 1963 Sports Roadster and have been told that the manifold must have carb's setting even, not stepped to clear the hood. Is this true?
Thanks,
Sherwin

[Alan H. Tast]

Yes! The T-bird manifold has the bases for the carburetors at the same height from the top of the manifold. This is because the engine sits level in the car, versus the full-size Ford/Mercury which has the engine tilting downward at the rear. The Galaxie-style manifold is also known as the "stair-step" because the rear carb is higher than the middle, which is also higher than the front one.

The oval air cleaner assembly may barely clear the back of the hood if the stair-step manifold is used on a T-bird, but there will also be problems due to the carbs tipping forward.

There are also several other differences between the Galaxie and T-bird units, primarily related to mounting bosses for linkage and ports for vacuum and PVC setups. These differences, as well as items which are unique to the "M"-Series 390-6v package, are spelled out in detail in VTCI's 1961-1963 Original Factory Specifications Book.

[ValveTubeHead]

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