When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Starting a new thread with hopes the title will attract someone who has purchased one of these. I’m interested in if they are open plenum or semi-divided plenum. Also, I sent an inquiry to TopflightAutomotive to see if the could provide a picture. My luck getting responses to contact inquires to sellers has typically not been good however.
Yes, that’s the same photo all the site use. Some sites will have a note saying the actual product may vary from the photo in some details.
It’s kind of a misnomer to advertise these as for the 396/375 and 427/425 in one sentence and then say it’s open plenum. Some sites advertise as correct for L88, 396/375 and 427/425 which is not accurate either. If I’m not mistaken the 1967 L88 intake started off as a 3885069 casting but then the factory opened up the plenum and stamped a second number on them - 3886093. A lot of the advertising is deceptive at worse, confusing at best. Note that seller says no returns. I already have a later year open plenum L88 intake, I’m hoping to find a correct L72 repro intake.
No information on the reproductions, but at one point I had three original 3885069 intakes and each had different style plenums. I’m sure someone here on the forum can provide information regarding which is correct depending on date of intake/car. I think one had full divider, another factory cut down divider, and lastly an open plenum.
Thanks. I wrote TopFlightAutomotive about getting an actual picture of the reproduction manifold. But I failed to mention their part number and I guess they drew a blank on 3885069 and L72 as they weren’t sure they had such a thing in their catalog. I sent them back their ad and their part number so they could get oriented but haven’t heard back from them. Probably the holiday.
Not the one you have asked about, but I did buy the repo 1965 intake for my BB build the #3866963. It is just like the pictures on the web with the semi-divided plenum with the cut down divider. Also I was very pleased with the quality of the aluminum manifold. Way heavier and thicker than any Edelbrock I have ever seen. I also installed it on a set of 781 large oval port heads not rectangular port, and it works great. Again not the exact one (numbers) you asked about but I can post a few pictures if you like.
Thanks - that at least lets me know the quality is there. Still waiting to hear from Top Flight Automotive on the plenum situation. Just sent them another inquiry.
I guess another option would be to have someone who welds aluminum, to build the divider up to within 1/8” from the carb pad.
I don't know that you'll have much luck getting more pictures of it from them, according to the wholesale site they don't have it in stock. The site says "Due in" which from my experience usually means they'll order one if they get an order for it. They may be able to get pictures from the maker if someone there's willing to make the effort, but I would call their sales or customer service department and speak to someone, and not rely on email.
Yeah, I think you’re right. Top Flight said they only had the one picture and they didn’t have any more information from the vendor. Obviously they haven’t any in stock. I asked if I could contact the vendor but they said they couldn’t give that info out.
So, I think I’m done pursuing the reproduction manifold at this point.
I have one (198) and I am returning it to Top Flight. The numbers and snowflake lack the detail, sharpness and depth of an original. Mine was on back order for awhile and the wait ended up being a disappointment. Not sure who the maker is or if it's US based.. I see the intake on several sites but the picture quality is poor. If those little details do not bother you, Ill sell you mine for what I paid or back to Top Flight it goes!
Last edited by TeamTruett; 08-20-2023 at 09:07 AM.
07-01-2023, 07:54 AM
Anyone purchase the repro #3885069 BB L72 intake.
