![Illustration for article titled Help Identify This Strange Mystery Intake Manifold](https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_center,h_80,q_80,w_80/voidfcailltcgeew0db9.png 80w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_320/voidfcailltcgeew0db9.png 320w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,f_auto,fl_progressive,q_80,w_470/voidfcailltcgeew0db9.png 470w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,q_80,w_800/voidfcailltcgeew0db9.png 800w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,q_80,w_1600/voidfcailltcgeew0db9.png 1600w)
I was alerted to this strange intake manifold by our friend the auto designer John Frye, who spotted it on the Innovative, Banned, and Unique Racing Vehicles Facebook group. I see why it caught his eye: it’s a richly strange and puzzling manifold design, and I can’t think of what engine it might have been designed for. I suspect one of you loons may have an idea, so it seems like a good idea to put it out there.
Here’s the post from the group:
![Illustration for article titled Help Identify This Strange Mystery Intake Manifold](https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_center,h_80,q_80,w_80/e96i7kfyxfuk54sc9obw.png 80w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_320/e96i7kfyxfuk54sc9obw.png 320w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,f_auto,fl_progressive,q_80,w_470/e96i7kfyxfuk54sc9obw.png 470w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,q_80,w_800/e96i7kfyxfuk54sc9obw.png 800w)
It seems to be a triple-carb manifold to feed a six-cylinder engine—a V6? I suppose it could be a straight-six, too? It looks like it’s basically three stacks of flattened intake runners, in funny U or wavy shapes, each fed by a carb.
There’s also this number stamped on the manifold:
![Illustration for article titled Help Identify This Strange Mystery Intake Manifold](https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_center,h_80,q_80,w_80/xhd2ccqtitbofl9uu9yo.png 80w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_320/xhd2ccqtitbofl9uu9yo.png 320w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,f_auto,fl_progressive,q_80,w_470/xhd2ccqtitbofl9uu9yo.png 470w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,q_80,w_800/xhd2ccqtitbofl9uu9yo.png 800w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,q_80,w_1600/xhd2ccqtitbofl9uu9yo.png 1600w)
H-403-A? I think? Does that ring a bell for anyone? 403 could refer to an Oldsmobile 403 engine, but that was a V8, so I don’t think that’s it.
It’s a really odd design, so I’m quite curious, but also quite stumped.
So, one of you greasy-handed car dorks out there must have some idea, right?
Let’s see if our big, wet, pulsating collective brains can help out! Gimme your ideas and theories below!
![](https://www.techkee.com/wp-content/uploads/logo.png)