[John_H]

It seems like I have more questions then answers lately.

Anyway, here is my dilemma, I recently got a great deal on some Patriot Freedom heads. Im in the process of getting the machine work done on a 96 vortec block. I happened to have an older Edelbrock Torker intake which is supposed to work on the heads without any issues. Thing is, I noticed that the heads have water jackets on the front and the back of the heads while the intake only has provisions for water to travel in the front. (maybe some steam ports in the middle?) Ive also noticed what looks to be maybe steam holes that come out the exhaust side of the heads as well that are circled in the enclosed pic. (Ive never really dealt with this newer style block before, and I got it already removed from the vehicle.)

I guess what Im wondering is will my setup work? What do I do with the holes coming out of the heads? (circled in the pic) I noticed that some of the newer vortec intakes from edelbrock seem to be setup basically the exact same way as this intake I have, at least as far as the water jackets go so Im thinking I will be ok there...but I obviously dont know for sure or I wouldnt be asking.

Thanks in advance again for all of the help.

[ericnova72]

Circled large hole is pipe thread, it is also there on all stock heads, it is where the factory installs the temp light or gauge sending unit. Just plug it if you don't need to use it for that purpose. The smaller hole in the circled area is also there on the other end of the head, it is for factory sparkplug wire guides/retainers or shielding.

All small block chevy heads have water ports at both ends of the intake face, it makes them interchangable from one side to the other. All factory intakes, and most aftermarket intakes until recent years don't have a crossover or ports at the rear, it is a racing thing. You don't need to worry about it.

The Torker intake is a poor design, even an engineer with Edelbrock at the time it was designed admits it sucks, but other manufacturers (Wieand Accelerator, Holley StreetMaster, Offenhauser 360°) had a similar design because the buying public thought it was a good idea (they aren't very good either) so Edelbrock didn't want to be left out of the sales picture.

A new Performer RPM, Wieand Stealth or Holley Street Dominator (all tall dual plane intakes) are a much better intake, sell the Torker to someone who doesn't know any better.

[John_H]

Thanks for the help.

I guess its just been so long (about 10 years) since I have fooled with any engines, and since I didnt pull this one, I was worried it was something new. (Stupid me )

Thanks again and I will see what I cant do about dumping that intake.