H-D intakes

[Chris Haynes]

There is a lot of question about what manifolds appeared and when. Here they are in order as my research has shown me. I am not showing the different legnth 61" VS 74" units. Just the type.
From left to right;1936-1939 EL, 1940 EL, Early 1941 EL/FL, Late 1941-1947 EL/FL also late 1949-1954 EL/FL, 1948/49 EL/FL, 1955 and later FL.

[bmh]

I'm guessin there is supposed to be a picture to go with that info, but it's not showing up here.

[T. Cotten]

Chris!

Can you reference the early '41 manifold?
I have encountered several bronze OHV manifolds over the years, and they were invariably found upon 1947 machines.

And the most recent was cheesy with porosities, as shown in the attachments.

(Consider also that bronze was a strategic material in short supply in '41, but surplus in '47.)

....Cotten
PS: Where's the aluminum 0-ring manifold?

[Chris Haynes]

PS: Where's the aluminum 0-ring manifold?

Cotten,
It is the last one on the far right.

I have never found a brass manifold on a bike myself. Old time H-D mechanics and dealers told me they were a 1941 item. Your experiences may vary.

[Jerry Wieland]

Chris I have to agree with Cotton. The only original paint bikes I have ever seen with a brass intake manifold is 1947 (only 2) although I cannot imagine why. Common sense would tell me it would be at the begiinning or ending of a run (such as early 1941) but since when did common sense have anything to do with anything.

Jerry

[flat-happy]

i've only run across 2 over the years. one was on a very early 1940, i think it was 40EL1006. it had a casting number 428-40. the other one was on a 47 and it had a casting number 428-401 on it. i don't have either now to post a picture

[andy at wash]

intake manifold

i own a1947 since 1960 it has a bronze intake manifold on it el 61 andy

[T. Cotten]

Chris!

I mean the aluminum manifold (attached).

All manifolds should probably be bench-tested, but especially bronze ones. A WR is the only other bronze post-Depression manifold that I have encountered, off-hand.

....Cotten

[Chris Haynes]

Tom,
There are two versions of the aluminum O ring manifold. The last one on your right side of my photo is the one with the deep 21027-55 casting number on it and yours is the one with the faint 21027-55A number. I don't know which came first.

[T. Cotten]

So,
This thing on the right in the first attachment isn't a wildcat after all, but just polished.
It is the only one I have seen.

There's other kinds of '48-'49 steel tube manifolds, too! (Second pic.)

There's variations of the other castings as well, such as the "broken pattern" version of the '49-'54 model (third pic attached).

....Cotten

[c.o.]

Intriguing this thread is yes...... thanks for the education fellas!

[Chris Haynes]

i've only run across 2 over the years. one was on a very early 1940, i think it was 40EL1006. it had a casting number 428-40. the other one was on a 47 and it had a casting number 428-401 on it. i don't have either now to post a picture

I have never seen a brass 1940 manifold. Possibly they came into play in late '40 and continued to early '41?

[Matthew N. Olse]

I have seen three late 47s come through our shop for restoration with bronze manifolds. Out of the last 4 40 motors that we have done, they have all had the short -40 manifold. I always thought that the change took place in 41 to space the larger 7 inch aircleaner away from the cylinders. Does anybody have a -40 manifold on an engine that they can try putting a 7 inch aircleaner on? That would probably provide some useful information...

[T. Cotten]

Matthew!

I would say that Carl's has filtered some extraordinarily un-molested machines!
(Of course you logged them in detail?)

My locals chewed everything up and swapped pieces and parts for fun.
('Xcept me of course!....well, maybe.)
Every assembly must be questioned and and compared to as many others as possible.

I can't imagine what it is like for Chris in California.

....Cotten

[Jerry Wieland]

Matt I believe that ALL 1940 OHV's had the short -40 intake. Up in northern Wisconsin by Hurley there is an original 40EL504x. I believe that this is one of the very last 1940's assembled and it still has the -40 short intake.

The original 1940 OHV that Bergdales own is later and also has the short intake. Both these bikes have the late Alcoa type cam cover also.

If you put a 7 inch air cleaner on a short intake it will rub against the tank.

Jerry