Red in my experience the originally designed scheme for heating the intake manifold is hard to beat. It was used for many years and it worked extremely well when kept in good nick.

Certainly using water to heat it is not effective and in my opinion almost a joke. I have not seen a single header design that accomplished what the stock setup did. Living in Dallas our weather isn't dramatically different from yours in Naples...actually our summers are hotter (yesterday was 103) and still I would not want to deviate from the stock design. Getting a smooth running engine (not to overlook an economically running engine) requires several things be in balance. When they are, all is well.

I'm sure some folks will appear soon with some other ideas. Good luck to you no matter what you choose.

~ Jon
1952 1/2 ton with 1959 235 | T5 with 3.07 rear end