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I just bought a used msd intake manifold. I just want to make sure this is how it is supposed to look from the side. The top and bottom part of the manifold are tight together where the bolts hold it together but do not seem as tight as you move further away from the bolts. I'm curious is this how it is supposed to be or is the manifold warped.
This one i bought on ebay. I've been trying to find pictures of the manifold, but it's hard to find pics of the side. It does seem as though there is some separation away from the bolts, even on the MSD website when i zoom in on the Pic. Would just like to know for certain before I install it
I have one and remember thinking it was warped after I got it put together and torqued new out the box. The instructions recommend you remove and retorque the bolts before installing if memory serves me correctly. IMO for what they cost the plastic castings leave much to be desired. I actually get a lean code on especially (for DFW) cold days and I think it's due to the thing shrinking in the cold. If I ever pull it I plan to RTV the two clamshell pieces. That said yes if you don't torque the clamshell pieces correctly it will do that but even after doing so you can tell it just doesn't seem to fit together quite right.
I have one and the gap wasn't like that and sure couldn't see the gaskets. With that being said, I would bet that once installed the manifold bolts will clamp down and take up that slack.
Make sure the brake booster plugs in all of the way into the back of the manifold. I had to do it twice because I thought it was all the way in, but it was not. Had a decent vacuum leak (+15 LTFT) until I redid the installation. I also removed the foam under there because it was interfering with the MSD siting flat on the heads.. Now LTFT is +1-2%.
The more I looked at it, that is what i was thinking. The bolts holding it together are just for that- holding it together. And the others around the perimeter should squish everything together once tightened........hopefully
They all are kinda like that. Build quality isn't very good on them. Also, get ready for some lean issues from vac leaks. Mine was great for about a year, then started leaking. Put new gaskets on it and was good for about a month, then started leaking again. Disassemble and replace gaskets, go over everything with RTV, only way I could get mine to stay sealed, been good for over a year now.
They all are kinda like that. Build quality isn't very good on them. Also, get ready for some lean issues from vac leaks. Mine was great for about a year, then started leaking. Put new gaskets on it and was good for about a month, then started leaking again. Disassemble and replace gaskets, go over everything with RTV, only way I could get mine to stay sealed, been good for over a year now.
I think I'm going to have to do that, or just leave it parked up when cold. My LTFTs jump to 30 on a cold startup below 40 degrees. I have had it on for just over a year. Once everything warms up they drop to the correct range. Either that or I'm just going to go back to stock. Did you RTV the seam for the 2 clam shell pieces only or did yo udo anything where it meets the heads?
I wouldn't think you should put any rtv between the heads and manifold, the seals should be good enough. But when you rtv between the top and bottom clam shell, are you putting it on both sides, placing the large seal in the groove, then sandwiching it together?
I only put RTV in the grooves for the seals. Nothing on the heads or the flat side (top half) of the manifold. The idea was that it would raise the gaskets up just a bit to make it seal better. I put it all back together yesterday and so far so good. I won't really know if it's working right until I get a good cold day though.
I meant to say earlier that years ago a dude had one installed at a shop. It leaked at the heads and the shop told him that the foam under there was pushing up on the manifold. I removed the foam when I did mine and can't hear any extra noises from the HPFP, but my car is pretty loud. Been on for two + years, retorqued everything after 1,000 miles or so, and fuel trims are still good.
Not sure about the foam causing long-term issues, but wanted to bring it up.
My foam has been gone since the original intake was pulled. I don't have enough evidence to support this but my theory is that the plastic castings are just inconsistent.
Maybe I'll pull the foam then. I already bought heat effective tape i was going to put on the bottom of the manifold because it's already out and why not. Probably won't do anything but I'm already there
MSD intake manifold question
