aluminum heads problem
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
aluminum heads problem
I just installed a set of aluminum heads & looks like the intake ports are too tall for the TPI manifold. used a thick gasket per manufacturer instructions but still had 1/8" gap showing above intake so I pushed it down to cover gap & siliconed over it. but seems to be sucking air from bottom now. I had to move it out of shop i was borrowing it started but ran terrible & was showing 4 mpg as i drove home.
also found out angled plug heads don't work with factory headers so ordered another set of heads that are suposed to fit but wondering what it will take to get them to fit. anybody else done this & can shed some light on what i need to do to do it right?
also found out angled plug heads don't work with factory headers so ordered another set of heads that are suposed to fit but wondering what it will take to get them to fit. anybody else done this & can shed some light on what i need to do to do it right?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
I don't believe a gasket switch is going to be the answer over the long term.
When building a 434 for a friend, I ran into the same problem and had to have additional material welded to the Mini-Ram intake for it to seal.
Jake
West Point ROCKS! Nation's TOP COLLEGE per FORBES Magazine!
When building a 434 for a friend, I ran into the same problem and had to have additional material welded to the Mini-Ram intake for it to seal.
Jake
West Point ROCKS! Nation's TOP COLLEGE per FORBES Magazine!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 31
From: Australia
Pic shows the difference between Vortec and reg SBC ports .
When you get new heads , place intake gasket on heads; should match both intake and heads.If not different gasket is not going to fix problem.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
The pic does show what I was talking about, not sure if they are vortec they are what they sent for a 86 vette. called them back & was told all i needed was a thicker gasket to raise intake to match but still had small gap & big gap front & rear of valley. I have since ordered another set of heads Trick Flow from summit Racing but haven't tried them. first heads were angled plug & plugs wouldn't clear. so guess first company didn't know what they were talking about or what was the right heads for engine. Summit tech seemed to know exactly what I needed. car is in another state so can't look at everything till I go back. Plan on using first set of heads on another engine with carburator so will order intake to match heads.
thanks for the input.
thanks for the input.
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