I've just acquired a stock 1972 440 intake that I'll be putting on my 1973 block. I will be perching a new Edelbrock AVS2 carb on it with an electric choke. Not intended to be a screamer, just a street car that gets up & goes once in a while.

This intake has a large hole next to the carb opening, I am assuming it was for a mechanical choke. From what I've been able to research, it is also for the heat crossover. Photo is attached.

After reviewing a few threads on this site, I think I have it straight, but since I'm a rookie I want to make sure I'm tracking correctly: the best way to block the hole from the bottom is to buy the correct valley pan gasket that blocks the heat crossover. But I don't see a good way to block the hole from on top, other than covering with a thin piece of stainless steel or tin. Edelbrock sells choke block-off plates, but I don't see one for this manifold....perhaps someone makes them out there (?).

If I'm in right field and starting to climb the fence, please holler - I'd appreciate validation of above info and any advice. Thanks much in advance -

Wade

They came stock with a molded bolt in insert that block the exhaust from escaping, yours is missing.
Two choices, change the intake valley pan with the heat blocked off and not worry about the hole or use that valley pan and make your own cover for the hole for visual looks

I did not think the heat cross over was open to atmosphere on the intake manifold, just a crossover that heated the manifold and operated the choke.

I don't remember seeing a hole at the bottom of the choke well either.
Did the 72s have an EGR hole at the bottom of he carb plenum?
Maybe that is what he's referring to???

Joe

Go look closer at the picture, you can see the hole for the exhaust cross over thru the choke well.

Yes, it does look like a hole, but I can't imagine what that would sound like??

Maybe the previous owner wanted his choke to unload quicker.

Joe

That is a standard intake, and there was a gasket, then a "cup" to sit in the hole to fill it, and then the choke on top of the "cup" . . .

just fab a piece of metal to cover the hole and gasket it and be done with it. factory was a well cup and gasket.

This cup is what goes in the hole, the actual choke would sit in this cup.

Learn something new every day,

Now the trick is living long enough........LOL

Joe

Thanks for the info & photos, extremely helpful. I actually came across the mechanical choke, it comes with the cup shown in the picture. I'll either just stick the manual choke back on to keep it with the intake and match the hole (and not use it), or I'll cover the hole with a piece from an old valley tin. I appreciate the inputs.