318 exhaust manifolds on a 360

After the FABO crash, I'll try again. I sell these 340 and 360 manifolds and I noticed that one of the 340 driver manifolds (supposedly an early one, pre-70s) is designed a little different. The only reason I have some interest in this fact is that many FABO members write me asking if I have manifolds that will fit their EARLY A Bodies. I know that some members have used the Dakota driver which I also sell and some have used other later manifolds. Anyway, when I received one of these early 340 driver manifolds I lined it up next to a later model and did notice some big differences. These differences should make the early 340 driver more adaptable to the Early A engine compartment. If you look at the pics you can see several differences. First, the early 340 (in the foreground, first two pics) is relatively FLAT in the section that goes past the steering, if you look at the later 340 (in the background) it has a definite bulge. This is one of the areas where there is always interference on the early A bodies. The early manifold (without the bulge) should clear the steering shaft much easier in an early A body. Second, the early manifold rises up sooner and higher (second and third pic) than the later manifold which would aid in clearing the steering box. Third, the early manifold sweeps away from the steering box sooner as it rises up and over the two front spark plugs (pics 5 and 6).

I'm writing all this information to find out if anyone else has had better luck installing the early 340 manifolds in their early A bodies. I do know (from much research) that Early A bodies with P/S have the hardest time getting a 340 to fit BUT I don't know if the early 340 would have a better chance with P/S because I haven't really read about anyone being specific about which manifold (early or late) was used in their early A body. The last pic is of a later 340 (post-1970), it can be easily distinguished by the heavy rib on the top and bottom of the manifold.
There are many members who would benefit from more information on this subject.


Thanks,
Treblig