Sandmaster manifold and Zenith...

[Sandscorcher]

Hi there Folks!

I just got a vintage Sandmaster manifold…that I’d like to use with a Zenith NDIX P010…
This should be a good combo I guess…but I read somewhere that actually this could not…and that a 2 barrel carb would work better on a non plenum manifold...
My Sandmaster catalogue from 1973 said good things about plenum manifolds (as you can read on the pic I attached)…plenum manifolds created to fit either Holley and Zenith carbs…
So what about you? What do you think about it?
Any hint to fix the problem if the problem will be actually there?
Thanks in advance!

Cheers!

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[oldschool5er]

Been running street and race for decades with that combo many many offroad engines built with that. It works if you want a vintage setup it is just knowing how to tune it. Of Course it is not the prefered choice nowadays but it works really well if setup right and using a PO10. You will hear all kinds of crap about jetting rich to get them to run and washing your cylinders out but I just tore an engine down that was built 30 years ago and ran this combo that was setup properly it ran up until the day it was taken out and after 60k on the motor running on and offroad it no way looked like anything other than normal wear and tear. since you are looking at vintage Baja use the manifold and PO10 jetted correctly with heat risers installed. We used isolated runners in street sometimes but they fell apart at the riser welds under offroad racing conditions. Either will work though. Just my opinion, I have used the sandmaster type for decades so I am partial to it. I always added a hose on the float vent and an extra support bracket from carb base to the fuel pump stud to keep it solid. I am refering to the cast version I used I never used the steel plenum version.

[AZ45]

Great set up, the Chenowth 1000 we raced at NORRA last year(and will race this year) has an old Dino manifold that looks just like the Sandmaster with a Zenith and it worked great.

[Sandscorcher]

Been running street and race for decades with that combo many many offroad engines built with that. It works if you want a vintage setup it is just knowing how to tune it. Of Course it is not the prefered choice nowadays but it works really well if setup right and using a PO10. You will hear all kinds of crap about jetting rich to get them to run and washing your cylinders out but I just tore an engine down that was built 30 years ago and ran this combo that was setup properly it ran up until the day it was taken out and after 60k on the motor running on and offroad it no way looked like anything other than normal wear and tear. since you are looking at vintage Baja use the manifold and PO10 jetted correctly with heat risers installed. We used isolated runners in street sometimes but they fell apart at the riser welds under offroad racing conditions. Either will work though. Just my opinion, I have used the sandmaster type for decades so I am partial to it. I always added a hose on the float vent and an extra support bracket from carb base to the fuel pump stud to keep it solid. I am refering to the cast version I used I never used the steel plenum version.

Thanks so much Rob for the explanation and for the hints...This is a sweet music for my ears...
I love to learn things like this from veterans like you full of experience!Great respect as always!!!
Just to be sure...As "cast version" you actually mean the plenum manifold I'm talking about...the one on the first pic...Don't you?
Referring to the Sandmaster catalog:the one like mine on the left side is the "cast version" and the one on the right side is the "steel version" (here is actually specified)...Right?

Thanks again mate!

Cheers!

[Sandscorcher]

Great set up, the Chenowth 1000 we raced at NORRA last year(and will race this year) has an old Dino manifold that looks just like the Sandmaster with a Zenith and it worked great.

Hi Jeff...or better Mr.Furrier!
Happy to hear this good news from a great runner like you!!!

I took a look at the Norra entries and I saw you as #118.

Are you ready for the great day???


Thanks again!

Cheers!

[oldschool5er]

Yep the one in the first pic, you had a lot of branding going on with that same style. Deano , Sandmaster, Speed Unlimited, Bugpack etc etc.

[AZ45]

Hi Jeff...or better Mr.Furrier!
Happy to hear this good news from a great runner like you!!!

I took a look at the Norra entries and I saw you as #118.

Are you ready for the great day???


Thanks again!

Cheers!

Not ready yet, but we will be!

there's a pretty good Hot VW's article on how to tune and rebuild the Zenith, I'll try to post it up when I can.

[Bro_Gill]

Both manifolds will work, but the Plenum manifold has a better all around range and reduces fuel stand-off above the carb. Also, the single tube runner model ices up like crazy if it isn't warm enough. Sounds like the planum can too, according to Old5, but I found the individual runner would ice up in much warmer than freezing temps. The Zenith set-up was a great choice back in the day. Parts are a little harder to get for them, but they are out there. Only thing better than a Zenith of a 2180 was a pair of dry-sumped 48IDA webbers with an SPG roller crank and NPR pistons. And a recurved 009. And a Jim Fueling exhaust. And... Just think about getting ahold of all that stuff today.

Martin

[Sandscorcher]

Yep the one in the first pic, you had a lot of branding going on with that same style. Deano , Sandmaster, Speed Unlimited, Bugpack etc etc.

Yep...just to be sure that "cast" was referred to that kind of material...

Thanks again!

[Sandscorcher]

Not ready yet, but we will be!

there's a pretty good Hot VW's article on how to tune and rebuild the Zenith, I'll try to post it up when I can.

Thanks Jeff!

I'll stay tuned for it...