Poly 318

[Kevin H]

Originally Posted by Anne

Ok..the clear impression was there was only one.

I said the book "lists 2268127 as being a left manifold used on Dodge cars "

Note I said "a manifold", not "the manifold" !

Given that now you tell me that the ULTIMATE book has more than one LH casting number how many are listed?

I don't know, I don't have the book. I was accessing an online preview of the book. The information is grouped under car brands - e.g Chrysler, Dodge, Plymouth, DeSoto etc. The Dodge section listed several exhaust manifolds for the 318 Poly engine - 3 LH and 3 RH.

Unfortunately the page that I think we really need (page 200), which would list Plymouth exhaust manifolds, is not included in the online sample. I was tempted to buy the book to satisfy my curiosity but as my Bristol has a different engine I resisted the urge.

It is of course quite possible that Chrysler manufactured a specific manifold for Bristol and that we won't find the exact casting numbers anywhere other than the Bristol parts list.

[Thor]

I wish I could be more help with this thread, but I cannot find the original manifolds of my 409, I think I have sold them already (my car has some fabricated parts).

I am absolutely sure that the manifolds were not made specially for Bristol, I have books about tuning Mopar engines which show identical manifolds on 318 'A' engines (not 'LA') from series models, but the tuning books don't talk about the models the engines were fitted to.

I can confirm that the correct manifolds for a 409 could be described as : Right hand manifold has a central outlet and includes a butterfly valve controlled by a bi-metallic spring (intended to restrict flow and direct the flow across the heating passage in the cylinder heads and inlet manifold to the other side of the engine, when cold). Left hand manifold has a rear outlet. Both manifolds are simple 'logs', i.e. there is no separation of the exhaust flows from the different cylinders.

I believe the engines were bought from Chrysler in only two batches, the first being 313 engines probably in 1961 or 1962, mostly used in 407 and 408 cars, and then a batch of 318 engines probably bought in about 1966, mostly used in 409 and 410 cars.

As the new 'LA' engine became available from about 1965 on, it is very difficult to pin down the models for the second batch of engines. I would advise contacting the very small number of companies offering specialist tuning of the 'A' Poly engine, and asking them to obtain the correct manifolds on your behalf.

[Anne]

Thanks...I can confirm 100% that these manifolds were not built for Bristol as I have another engine ( wish I knew what car it came from) that has exactly the same manifold. It's the one I am using but managed to crack the flange were it meets the down pipe. Fixable, but I would like a good one.
I have e-mailed Spencer Lane Jones as well as the Chrysler Historical office.
I gave them the 5 casting numbers I have, to see if that will help to identify the source.
Also note that a 66 Dodge Charger uses a poly engine as their base engine.

Thor if you can scan the page where your tune up book shows "our" manifold that would be of some help.
Thanks to all,

Anne

PS just got a reply from Spencer Lane Jones 165 pounds in steel and here is a picture

[Kevin H]

It would be interesting if they have any information on the numbers from the Bristol parts list.

[Anne]

Got a reply from Chrysler and unfortunately none of the period paper files were transcribed, so Bristol data of the period seems to have been lost.
Anne