66 GT350 S2MS Cobra Intake Manifold Variations

[J_Speegle]

So we can say that early numbered cars up to 500 are having combo #1?
Cheers

Not at this time IMHO

[GT350Lad]

So we can say that early numbered cars up to 500 are having combo #1?
Cheers

Not at this time IMHO

Prob is a bit Early, fair enough, will see what data gets collated

[s2ms]

Finally had a chance to compile the info from forum 1.0 and the latest results. Jeff Speegle has also been researching this subject, his observations are included as well. Thanks to Jeff for sharing his info!

Changed the version combinations (chart below) to reflect what has actually been observed, plus changed the version numbers which made more sense to me when plotting in Excel. At this time only cars which had BOTH firing order location and Cobra casting style information were included. We decided not to include the manufacturer marking since it cannot be seen when installed and there were few cars with that info, plus only one car has reported having the Offenhauser stamp so far. As a result v66.4 is not listed on the graph plot, that one car is lumped in with v66.3 until we get more info. Also included early cars after 6S253 with original S1MS intakes (v65.9) but only one car has reported that.



We decided to not post individual VINs but if you reported your car's info you can easily see where it lies. If you don't have the original intake you can see what the cars around yours have...



This info certainly is not meant to draw conclusions what version intake individual cars should have, only to show the information gathered so far. Thanks to all who reported! Please continue to report original intake info! With more data we can get a much clearer picture of these versions throughout 66 production and hopefully fill in the gaps, there is still a pretty big gap between v66.1 and 66.2. I will continue to update the graph as more info is reported. Also, this could easily be expanded to include 65 and 67-68 intake differences. If anyone wants to take that ball and run with it let me know, I'll be glad to help.

Thanks,
Dave

Decided to also post this graph which adds cars without Cobra casting style information AFTER 6S843 with the assumption that cars after that are very unlikely to have the 2A casting style. This data fills the graph in more as a number of owners after 6S843 only reported firing order location. Anyone with an original intake that hasn't already reported please let me know oyur SAI VIN and I'll add it. Thanks!


 

[GT350Lad]

Nicely done Dave, good discussions ahead

[Dan Case]

Nicely done Dave, good discussions ahead

+1, super illustration.

[65A KGT]

Great work Dave, thank you!

I wanted to add that the original engine for 1291 has a 66.2 version.

Malcolm

[6s1640]

Hi Dave,

Here is one for you, not on your list, but still a S2MS intake.  If not for the COUGAR branding, it would be a No. 8 version or your 66.4.

This is actually the early version of the COUGAR intake.  There is a later more common version with the extra bosses near the vacuum ports, like the COBRA version.  These COUGAR intakes were never original equipment, but sold though the Mercury dealers and Shelby American.  I have only seen two ads for this intake, one in "How to Sharpen a Cougar Claws" brochure and dealer kit and the other in full page Competition Press ad from SAI having a sale.

From my search on the internet, I was not able to find this early version, only the later version (image below), making the early intake pretty rare.

Enjoy

Cory

[s2ms]

Hi Cory,

Interesting intake. At some point maybe we can look these OTC versions, and even race versions, and create an "evolutionary tree".

Thanks,
Dave

[JD]

Here is another of the stamping(s) on one of the underside fills... "3B" if referencing the original post.

[JD]

I've been trying to help a guy with a '66 determine which he should have.

I did the following to help me, I'll post it here, it has more than just the S2MS versions but some of these others have been brought up and was trying to get a better perspective on them.

Hope this helps...may need to post a larger file (4-7-2020 image added with arrows)

[jerry merrill]

There is a Cougar intake for sale right now in So Cal Craigs list. it is the later version but the price is kind of steep at $1,900. it can be found in the Inland Empire region of Craigs list under the heading of 302.

[s2ms]

I've been trying to help a guy with a '66 determine which he should have.

What's the SAI VIN?

[GT350Lad]

I've been trying to help a guy with a '66 determine which he should have.

What's the SAI VIN?

+1
Someone might have a car similar and have there original

[JD]

(sorry I'm not the owner, I've been asked by him to help as this is his first Shelby and not sure he wants the number out there.  The car was found after sitting for decades with the last known owner that SAAC had on file and Howard has been very helpful with verifying the car)

The Shelby VIN is a low 20XX number and the San Jose assembly date is thought to be late April '66, (that is not our speculation but a time suggested by those with more knowledge than us) sheet metal date code stampings support that. 

The car has the original engine and the Ford VIN present - but it's minus the original intake (the intake that was on the engine is like the 1st one on the left in the group comparison image I posted in reply #39 which others have stated is too early for the car/engine assembly date), carb, distributor, air cleaner, water pump, timing cover.  The block and heads have casting date codes of Jan 31, '66 and the issue is the engine assembly date is Feb, 10, '66  If the intake was installed at the Cleveland plant, what were they installing early February of 1966 in Cleveland. 

Yes, I have been trying to ask some other owners what they have but not all are certain they have their cars' original.  One owner with a Shelby VIN lower by about 100 cars' has the "later S2MS" the 4th form the left in the group comparison image I posted in reply #39, were "they" making/installing that intake at that point in time?  (As a comparison the '67 GT350 I had that was one of the first 100 '67 GT350's made at San Jose in October of '66 had this same intake - were they using that from February of '66 through February of '67?)

We think that the owner needs to acquire the "right" intake for the "engine assembly date" more than the cars' VIN number - correct?

Do other owners out there have a car with an original engine and intake/carb with an assembly date around Feb 10, '66 and if so which version of intake does your car have?  (silly me I thought '67's were difficult - but then it's Shelby don't look for easy)

Thanks all

[s2ms]

JD,

According to the chart 6S20xx is most likely to have version 66.3.

Had a few more cars report since I originally posted the graph in Reply# 32 so updated that today. Also added another graph which adds cars WITHOUT Cobra casting style information AFTER 6S843 with the assumption that cars after that are very unlikely to have the 2A (square) casting style. This fills out the graph more using cars that only reported firing order location. Of course now an original 2A car after 843 will show up and blow that assumption to bits.

Thanks,
Dave