1978 FLH Intake Question

Hoping someone can help. I'm building a 1978 FLH Shovelhead and running an S&S Super E carb. Which type of intake manifold clamp should I get? O-Ring or "Band" style? I've seen different year ranges from several different websites. Here's what I've got:

Heads:



Intake Manifold:



Do I need this:



Or this:



While I'm at it...how do you tell if you have an "early 78" motor? The manual doesn't list a distinction between early and late 1978 FL.

Mike at Old-Stf got me squared away...once again! His customer service is top-notch.

I'd say you need the one with the rings.

A local guy put on both, claiming that should be as leak-proof as can be. Sounds good in theory at least.

The belly numbers on the left engine cases should give you a clue about wether it's early or late 78.
Just check those using the following guide. I can't find any source that confirms what day exactly they changed, so let's just hope yours isn't made in july or something.

Example: 1992 244 137



15 = Engine Designation
****
1 = 1200cc Shovelhead
****
7 = 1000cc Iron XL
****
14 = 1340cc Shovelhead
****
15 = 1340cc Evolution
****
16 = XR-1000
****
17 = 883cc Evolution XL
****
18 = 1100cc Evolution XL
****
19 = 1200cc Evolution XL
****
20 = 1340cc Evolution - California (1988 - ?)
****
21 = 883cc Evolution XL- California (1988 - ?)
****
22 = 1200cc Evolution XL- California (1988 - ?)


92 = Model Year



244 = Day of Production
*****
001 = Jan. 1st******* 182 = Jul. 1st
*****
032 = Feb. 1st******* 213 = Aug. 1st
*****
060 = Mar. 1st******* 244 = Sep. 1st
*****
091 = Apr. 1st******* 274 = Oct. 1st
*****
121 = May* 1st******* 305 = Nov. 1st
*****
152 = Jun. 1st******* 335 = Dec. 1st



137 = Unit Number That Day (production number)

If not mistaken early 78 are 74 inches and late 78 are 80 inches. Also 78 was the 75th anniversary

Originally Posted by ridemore16

Mike at Old-Stf got me squared away...once again! His customer service is top-notch.

Nice cliff hanger. WTF did he tell you to use???

Looks like the heads are o-ring type and the manifold is for the band style.
So you need a plastic adaptor and the band with the band type clamp.
I have had success with a thin O-ring in place of the plastic adaptor.
Even if you were mis-matched the other way round this would work.

Correction-Second look tells me the heads and manifold have the lip
= O-rings
So, you need the first "this" one,
However The two piece clamps tend to pinch go with the less esthetically pleasing "Aircraft Hoseclamp" style clamps

Originally Posted by Hellbound

If not mistaken early 78 are 74 inches and late 78 are 80 inches. Also 78 was the 75th anniversary

No, there are both late and early 74", but the 80" was introduced mid-year on the 75th anniversary Electra Glides

Late 78's had electrical ignition, not the points used on previous shovels

Originally Posted by ARBY

Nice cliff hanger. WTF did he tell you to use???

I sent him these same pictures and he said I need O-ring type. Also, he gave me some info on how to tell the year of the heads based on fin type. Makes sense for me not to use the model year because my motor was an absolute abortion of a basket case when I bought it. He said going by year is hard unless you know it's an original complete motor.

Heads and manifold look like o-ring to me. If you can get a clamp that fits throw them both on, o ring then the band.

Originally Posted by ridemore16

I sent him these same pictures and he said I need O-ring type. Also, he gave me some info on how to tell the year of the heads based on fin type. Makes sense for me not to use the model year because my motor was an absolute abortion of a basket case when I bought it. He said going by year is hard unless you know it's an original complete motor.

Correct on the "O" rings. Now please share your info on the fin types. Because my '77 came from the factory with rubber band intake and seals so I'd like to know if what they told me about my motor was true.

Ok Arby...here's the reply and info I got from Mike at Old-Stf:

"There are different year head castings for shovels and since they are all interchangeable it's best to identify your heads. You never know how the heads could have been swapped around. You should see part number or casting number on your heads.

-66 is first year and has tall even fins between the rockers on top (o-ring)

-73 "rooster" because the tall fins radius from short to tall back to short between the rockers (also o-ring)

-78 and 80 do not have tall fins on top (band type)."

Hope that helps you Arby.

i like the o-ring type myself, but i don't like those clamps. i use the aircraft style, looks like a heavy duty hose clamp.

Originally Posted by ridemore16

Mike at Old-Stf got me squared away...once again! His customer service is top-notch.

Old stuff, good peeps.
O ring of course.