Super Ram Install....
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Bergen County, NJ Democrats, doing for the country what they did for Michigan
Super Ram Install....
So here's my question...
People talk about leaving the "bolts loose" to get them all in place before tightening everything up.
Now, does this refer to the bolts that hold the bottom of the runners to the manifold? Or does this refer to top bolts that attach the plenum to the runners.
What I would like to do is to attach the runners at the bottom and start to get everything in place so I can just bolt on the top.
Is this the right way to go about it?
People talk about leaving the "bolts loose" to get them all in place before tightening everything up.
Now, does this refer to the bolts that hold the bottom of the runners to the manifold? Or does this refer to top bolts that attach the plenum to the runners.
What I would like to do is to attach the runners at the bottom and start to get everything in place so I can just bolt on the top.
Is this the right way to go about it?
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 4,763
Likes: 1
From: Connectivette
That's not how I do it. I snug the runners to the base, then drop the plenum on the runners. I tried leaving the runner to base bolts loose.....it was a pain in the azz to get the plenum to line up with the runners.
I do however have to keep the runners loose before I drop in the fuel rail. This is when I connect the injectors also.
I do however have to keep the runners loose before I drop in the fuel rail. This is when I connect the injectors also.
Last edited by chucks88; Dec 30, 2007 at 10:33 PM.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Bergen County, NJ Democrats, doing for the country what they did for Michigan
That's not how I do it. I snug the runners to the base, then drop the plenum on the runners. I tried leaving the runner to base bolts loose.....it was a pain in the azz to get the plenum to line up with the runners.
I do however have to keep the runners loose before I drop in the fuel rail. This is when I connect the injectors also.
I do however have to keep the runners loose before I drop in the fuel rail. This is when I connect the injectors also.
It looks rather complicated/tight to get to the screws that fasten the plenum to the runners.
Is it as much as a bitch as it looks? What tool do you use? 1/4 inch socket and what?
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 4,763
Likes: 1
From: Connectivette
That sounds like what I'm saying. Snug the runners to the base, then drop the plenum on top of them.
It looks rather complicated/tight to get to the screws that fasten the plenum to the runners.
Is it as much as a bitch as it looks? What tool do you use? 1/4 inch socket and what?
It looks rather complicated/tight to get to the screws that fasten the plenum to the runners.
Is it as much as a bitch as it looks? What tool do you use? 1/4 inch socket and what?
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 35,065
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From: Bergen County, NJ Democrats, doing for the country what they did for Michigan
I have 12 point sockets that hold the top to the runners.
I have super long 3/8s inch hex keys that I will use to attach the runners to the base.
Do you attach the runners to the top FIRST, then the bottom of the runner?
That seems like it would be easier, but not possible.
I have super long 3/8s inch hex keys that I will use to attach the runners to the base.
Do you attach the runners to the top FIRST, then the bottom of the runner?
That seems like it would be easier, but not possible.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 4,763
Likes: 1
From: Connectivette
I do it the other way around I thread the 2 bolts into the base which run between the runners first. then you can drop your runners onto these two bolts as the runners are cut-away for the bolts at these two points. It is a this point I put in my fuel rail and connect my injectors. then you can run the rest of the bolts through and snug them down.
In fact the more I think about it it is much easier to torque down the runner bolt that runs through the back of the runner, through the intake first, if you don't have the plenum on. Also you may have to leave your coolant gooseneck off to have access to the reverse runner bolt on the passenger side. Dry fit it...you'll see what I mean.
In fact the more I think about it it is much easier to torque down the runner bolt that runs through the back of the runner, through the intake first, if you don't have the plenum on. Also you may have to leave your coolant gooseneck off to have access to the reverse runner bolt on the passenger side. Dry fit it...you'll see what I mean.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,107
Likes: 171
From: Dublin CA
Before I installed my SR, I talked to Acell and happened to get a tech that was filling in for the day on the phones. He suggest throwing away the bolts that came with the SR to hold the runners to the plenum and install studs and then use nuts that have a "star" washer as part of the nut. I don't know how I would have ever threaded the bolts into the base of the plenum through the runners with so little clearance.
I suggest that you mock up the runners and plenum off the engine and try to get the bolts supplied in or try a stud and nut.
I suggest that you mock up the runners and plenum off the engine and try to get the bolts supplied in or try a stud and nut.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,332
Likes: 3,246
From: Hartford WI
I would install the runners into the manifold base and tighten them before I do the plenum to the runners. Here is a trick I learnt from Lingenfelter's. You slot the bolts. Not the head end tho. That way, you position them from below and use a small flat bladed screwdriver and turn them till they are tight then you use a 12 point 8mm (I think) and make it tight.
Another way is to helicore the runners. Then you send the bolts from the top (inside the manifold) down to the helicores in the runners. However, if you are going to do this, make sure you locktite the bolts.
Another way is to helicore the runners. Then you send the bolts from the top (inside the manifold) down to the helicores in the runners. However, if you are going to do this, make sure you locktite the bolts.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,378
Likes: 388
From: Lakeville MI
I'm also a fan of the studs and kep-nut or k-lock approach.
The studs I used are Auveco part number 9668.
They are 1 1/4" long with 1/4-20 x 1/2" and 1/4-28 x 1/2" threads, grade 8, black oxide.
I got them from nutsandbolts.com
Use with 1/4-20 kep nuts installed from below.
Here's an old post of mine on the topic:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ghlight=auveco
Also a long 6mm ball end socket p/n 45966 is very useful. I bought 2 of them.
http://www.skhandtool.com/Default.as...e=10&pid=45935
The studs I used are Auveco part number 9668.
They are 1 1/4" long with 1/4-20 x 1/2" and 1/4-28 x 1/2" threads, grade 8, black oxide.
I got them from nutsandbolts.com
Use with 1/4-20 kep nuts installed from below.
Here's an old post of mine on the topic:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ghlight=auveco
Also a long 6mm ball end socket p/n 45966 is very useful. I bought 2 of them.
http://www.skhandtool.com/Default.as...e=10&pid=45935
Last edited by tequilaboy; Dec 31, 2007 at 10:56 AM.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 35,065
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From: Bergen County, NJ Democrats, doing for the country what they did for Michigan
I'm thinking of getting the runners heli-coiled at the top and screwing down from the inside.
I am not a fan of putting ANYTHING in the plenum that can come loose. Nuts, washers, anything.
I am not a fan of putting ANYTHING in the plenum that can come loose. Nuts, washers, anything.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,254
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From: Summerland B.C. Canada
The bolts would be in the plenum, if you coiled the runners. They could come loose. =)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,176
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From: Suffolk Va
I'm also a fan of the studs and kep-nut or k-lock approach.
The studs I used are Auveco part number 9668.
They are 1 1/4" long with 1/4-20 x 1/2" and 1/4-28 x 1/2" threads, grade 8, black oxide.
I got them from nutsandbolts.com
Use with 1/4-20 kep nuts installed from below.
Here's an old post of mine on the topic:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ghlight=auveco
Also a long 6mm ball end socket p/n 45966 is very useful. I bought 2 of them.
http://www.skhandtool.com/Default.as...e=10&pid=45935
The studs I used are Auveco part number 9668.
They are 1 1/4" long with 1/4-20 x 1/2" and 1/4-28 x 1/2" threads, grade 8, black oxide.
I got them from nutsandbolts.com
Use with 1/4-20 kep nuts installed from below.
Here's an old post of mine on the topic:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ghlight=auveco
Also a long 6mm ball end socket p/n 45966 is very useful. I bought 2 of them.
http://www.skhandtool.com/Default.as...e=10&pid=45935
Will these studs thread in without having to drill out any of the holes and retap?
...and you just screwed them in to the plenum and sat the plenum with studs onto the runners and tightened the nuts. not the other way around right?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,378
Likes: 388
From: Lakeville MI
I also used a little Yamabond 4 on the stud threads going into the plenum to seal the threads from potential vacuum leaks.
I've pulled the plenum off twice last week related to an injector installation and subsequent fuel leak. This was the first time I've had it apart since the initial installation. It was just as easy to remove as it was to install. The kep nuts spin right off with a fingertip once they're broken loose. It still takes maybe an hour to remove due to the number of fasteners involved, but it is very easy to do. I never mess with the lid. I just leave it on.
Last edited by tequilaboy; Dec 31, 2007 at 12:00 PM.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 35,065
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From: Bergen County, NJ Democrats, doing for the country what they did for Michigan
I guess not.
Question on the studs...the studs screw into the plenum and don't have a nut on the top. They tighten into the plenum. Do I have that right?
Thanks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,107
Likes: 171
From: Dublin CA
Yes, the studs screw into the plenum without a nut. Most studs have a section in the center that is not threaded so the stud screws in tight up to this point. The studs have two different threads, one set that matches the plenum threads (coarse) and the threads for the nuts are fine.