Help need advice on intake manifold not fitting

[dvw]

As part of the machine work on my 440 the machine shop decked the heads to true them up but, unfortunately they did't record how much was taken off. I seemed to recall (it's been months ago) when the called to let me know they needed to be decked I asked them if the intake needed to be done at the same time and they told me they didn't think so. Well I went to install intake (Edlebrock Performer) and as you would guess it doesn't fit. To get an idea on the difference I installed the bolts on one side and it looks to be about an eighth of an inch from lining up with the holes on the opposite side. The eighth is on the top of the bolt holes.

I've tried it with the paper gaskets on both sides of the valley pan, one paper gasket, and no gaskets all fits about the same.

THe machine shop guys are not giving me a hard time, a little embarrassed about the recording mistake and one fellow suggested I elongate the bolt holes in the intake (which in looking at it would probably work) but before I do that I thought I'd post up and see what your thoughts are. I'm sure they'd cut the manifold for me if I asked them but what would you suggest be cut from each side?

Thanks

It's not always possible to cut the intake side. In my case my Indy heads are 57cc. That leaves the intake face to thin if cut far enough for the intake to fit. How do you figure it out? Scribe a line across the top of the intake bolt holes on the heads. Continue he mark around the corner of the intake Parallel to the intake bolt holes on the front and rear of the heads. Make the exact same marks on the face of the intake manifold. Now set the intake on the engine. Measure the distance between the two lines at each corner. Average all the measurements. Averaging eliminates error if the manifold is not sitting square. Add the thickness of the gaskets to your averaged dimension. Example, RF .065", RR.070", LR .055", LF .050". = .240"/4 =.060". If the gasket is .040" thick. .040"+.060"=.100". Cut this total amount from each side of your manifold. The manifold will now fit. I had to trim mine .100", it fit perfect the first time.
Doug

 

[747mopar]

I must of done mine the dummy way, I had the same issue but mine fit perfectly without any gaskets or pan. All I did was measure the thickness of the gaskets and pan and had my dad remove about .010" less to be on the safe side, fit perfect. I might add that my dad is an awesome machinist (been doing it for 40+ yrs).

 

[dvw]

I must of done mine the dummy way, I had the same issue but mine fit perfectly without any gaskets or pan. All I did was measure the thickness of the gaskets and pan and had my dad remove about .010" less to be on the safe side, fit perfect. I might add that my dad is an awesome machinist (been doing it for 40+ yrs).

Not dumb. The problem arises when the manifold does not fit w/o gaskets. Then you have to know how much in addition to the gasket thickness to remove. Thus my method.
Doug

 

[WileE]

Dealt with this scenario. Elongating intake bolt holes does nothing to correct the incorrect geometry of the mating surfaces. It's either the intake side of the heads or the intake. As Cranky says, the heads would be the "correct" way, maintaining the relative geometry with any intake. Or, cut the intake incrementally until you have a good match, but that intake is now married.

- - - Updated - - -

when you deck the heads or the block, you COMPLETELY change the ENTIRE geometry. and thats why nothing fits well after doing so.

Exactamente.

 

[scotts74birds]

This chart work for you? http://www.mopar1.us/mill.html

 

[RustyRatRod]

Exactly. But when people start talkin that crap, you just caint argue with um. We've all spoke our piece. Let him run it like he wants to. He'll find out the hard way. He's arguin with well over 100 years collective experience. Crazy.

Dealt with this scenario. Elongating intake bolt holes does nothing to correct the incorrect geometry of the mating surfaces. It's either the intake side of the heads or the intake. As Cranky says, the heads would be the "correct" way, maintaining the relative geometry with any intake. Or, cut the intake incrementally until you have a good match, but that intake is now married.

- - - Updated - - -

Exactamente.

 

[Jasoncoronet]

Go find a engine builder and him stop buy your house take the measurement then he can cut tge intake. I dont know how some topics get so much response. This happens very often when you build engines. This is no big deal just fix it right.

 

[Jeremiah]

Exactly. But when people start talkin that crap, you just caint argue with um. We've all spoke our piece. Let him run it like he wants to. He'll find out the hard way. He's arguin with well over 100 years collective experience. Crazy.

Dude get off of your high horse. Anyone that mentioned making the holes bigger was referencing using a thicker gasket as well. You need treatment for your man-o-pause or something. If you had worked on as many mopars as you claim this would be obvious.

 

[RustyRatRod]

That's not quite the way I meant it, but thanks for the insult.

Dude get off of your high horse. Anyone that mentioned making the holes bigger was referencing using a thicker gasket as well. You need treatment for your man-o-pause or something. If you had worked on as many mopars as you claim this would be obvious.

 

[IQ52]

Exactly. But when people start talkin that crap, you just caint argue with um. We've all spoke our piece. Let him run it like he wants to. He'll find out the hard way. He's arguin with well over 100 years collective experience. Crazy.

I'm pickin' up what you're laying down Rob. Elongating the bolt holes is not a wise solution for improper manifold fitment. If all you want to do is get the bolts to engage the threaded holes, it'll do that. I wonder why the manufacturer doesn't just make the bolt holes 7/16 X 1-1/4? Then you would never have to mill your head OR intake. What about a rubber manifold that you could just bend into place?

"Man-o-pause" club member.

 

[RustyRatRod]

It's just not the right way to do it, Jim. That's all I was trying to get across. You know it, and so do I. I tell you, people on here think I am trying to incease my post count by replying to most everything. That's not it at all. I actually enjoy helping and learning that much. I think I'll just lay off a while. It's not like I don't have lots to do in the real world.

;)

 

[747mopar]

It's just not the right way to do it, Jim. That's all I was trying to get across. You know it, and so do I. I tell you, people on here think I am trying to incease my post count by replying to most everything. That's not it at all. I actually enjoy helping and learning that much. I think I'll just lay off a while. It's not like I don't have lots to do in the real world.

;)

Take it easy there big guy. I think that most of us know your outspoken and sometimes a little opinionated but having said that I also think we all know you mean well and just want to help. I like to help as much as I can as well but my "MOPAR" knowledge is limited, that's why we have people like you and the rest of the bunch.

 

[RustyRatRod]

my "MOPAR" knowledge is limited,.......

So is mine. What gets me is I like to help so much that effort is mistaken for a "know it all" attitude and nothing could be further from the truth. I treat this site like a bunch of guys sittin around a shop conversin. That's why I comment so much. It has nothing to do with post count. I don't give a **** if the mods make my post count a permanent zero. It makes no difference to me. I just enjoy it. It's one of the few things I do enjoy, but I guess some would ruin even that. I can disappear as easily as I appeared.

 

[67 coronet]

arguing and throwing insults are totally useless.each of us is just trying to help with all the knowledge we have.rusty you keep right on replying in your colorfull way.i think your thanked count is the only # anyone needs to pay attention to.

 

[dvw]

Well,what was the outcome?
Doug

 

[64SF]

Let you know next week when I crank it up. I do appreciate all the comments and suggestions. This forum is the best. .

 

[dvw]

Let you know next week when I crank it up. I do appreciate all the comments and suggestions. This forum is the best. .

How did you end up measuring it? how much did you remove?
Doug

 

[WileE]

Dude get off of your high horse. Anyone that mentioned making the holes bigger was referencing using a thicker gasket as well. You need treatment for your man-o-pause or something. If you had worked on as many mopars as you claim this would be obvious.

I've been in the auto business for 40 years. Carving out bolt holes & stuffing thick gaskets can possibly work for slight angles, but it is still the wrong way to do it. And it ain't happening if its off 1/8". I've dummied up things to make stuff work over the years, it doesn't mean it was the right way. Guys here are offering well-intentioned recommendations.