What we have here is a very rare piece indeed. This is a GM Performance Parts cross-ram intake manifold set for the Chevrolet 229 (3.8L) or 262 (4.3L) V6, part numbers 14044803 (base) and 14044804 (lid). I’m not very good with stock car racing history, but I’ve been told there was a class of NASCAR that used Chevy V6 engines in the 80’s. This manifold is the type that was used before the 18° heads came out. This manifold set is absolutely brand new; I still even have the original boxes. It is 100% virgin; it has never seen a grinder for porting. The runners are still as-cast. This is what is referred to as the “first design” cross ram intake. It is designed to only fit 23° cylinder heads with a stock intake runner location. GM made two different aluminum heads that fit the bill, but they are almost as rare as this manifold. The first head was part number 14011056, which had pretty small valves to fit the small bore of the old 229 (3.8L) V6 engine. The other head, part number 14044802, was the good one, which had decent sized valves to fit the 4.00 bore of the 262 (4.3L) V6. Good luck finding either one of those heads now, though. However, what you CAN still buy is a beautiful set of Chevy V6 heads from Brodix that would work perfect.

This manifold WILL NOT work on heads with raised intake runners, or heads with 18° or splayed valves.

This is what’s written in the 1991 GM Performance Parts catalog about this manifold set:

“This two-piece Bow Tie intake manifold is designed for Bow Tie aluminum cylinder heads #14011056 and #14044802. The tuned inlet runners in this box-style manifold cross over the lifter valley, producing a wide, flat torque curve. The removable cover provides access to the manifold bolts. The carburetor pad fits a standard flange four-barrel; the carb is turned sideways to provide clearance for a large diameter HEI distributor cap. This manifold is highly recommended for all V6/90 racing engines equipped with first design aluminum cylinder heads.

Technical Notes: Use RTV to seal the base and lid. A sheetmetal oil splash shield and cover plate should be fabricated for this manifold; see Chevy Power manual for information.”

So this is part of what’s in the Chevrolet Power Catalog, 6^th Edition, 1988;

“Intake manifold part number 14044804 fits the first design aluminum heads with conventional intake port locations. A separate manifold cover (part number 14044803) mounts a standard flange Holley four-barrel sideways as shown in Figure 113. Mounting the carburetor in this manner provides clearance for the throttle linkage and a large diameter HEI distributor cap. This sideways carburetor position has proven satisfactory for oval track racing. The carburetor should be mounted with its primary throttle blades on the left side of the engine and the throttle linkage at the rear. For best performance, the carburetor’s secondary power valve should be plugged and the carb rejetted to compensate for the lack of a secondary power valve. (Holley carburetors without secondary power valves can be used on this manifold without modification.)

A conventional fore-and-aft carburetor orientation is preferred for road racing. The carburetor can be repositioned to fore-and-aft mounting by welding additional aluminum to the carburetor flange and drilling new hold-down bolt holes. A distributor with a small diameter cap (such as Chevrolet part number 10051134 for semi-even fire 132/108 engines or part number 10051133 for odd-fire 150/90 V6s) is required for clearance when the carb float bowls are positioned at the front and rear.

A small flat shelf for the top of the manifold and an oil shield for the bottom should be fabricated from .040/.050-inch sheet steel as shown in Figure 116 and 117. The cover should be sealed to the manifold base with GM RTV part number 1052366.

This first design Chevrolet V6/90 cross-ram intake manifold produces a very broad torque curve and excellent top end power when used with camshafts of approximately 270 degrees duration (at .050-inch tappet lift). The manifold should be ported as shown in Figure 118 to increase runner size for optimum performance when installed on engines with displacements over 244 cubic inches.”

Photocopies of all this quoted material will be included with the purchase of this manifold.

Be aware: This manifold is quite tall! From the bottom of the front of the manifold (where the sealer is applied) to the carb mounting pad is a whopping 5”.

I had obtained this manifold with the intention of building a wicked streetable 4.3 V6 for a street rod project using the Brodix heads. I’ve always been the kind of person to want to do something different than everyone else. And for something different in a street rod, I thought building a killer V6 instead of a V8 like everyone else would have been just the ticket. But the project fizzled away when the kids arrived. Oh well, there will be other projects. I hope.

I would be happy to provide any additional pictures that you would like to see of any part of this manifold up close. Manifold will be VERY well packaged to prevent any kind of damage on its trip to you. Due to the high value of this manifold, it will be fully insured, and a signature will be required for delivery. Free shipping offer only applies to the continental United States. Hawaii, Alaska, and US territories will incur shipping charges. I usually try not to ship internationally due to high shipping costs, but I can check out international shipping on a case-by-case basis and let you know the cost.