Inlet manifold won't fit

[MilesnMiles]

How long to fit an inlet manifold? 20 minutes at a push when you forget to add the kickdown brackets into the equation?
Three Bananarama! hours and still not fitted

Combine aftermarket heads with aftermarket inlet and equal problem!

To cut out all the trial fits I ended up only being able to bolt the inlet down with no end gaskets.
Found some spare cork sheet and made my own end piece gaskets and got it all bolted down with some wresting. Of course the gasket is now too thin and the Bananarama! will leak.
Start again, I can't even bother to mention how long it took to get the exhaust manifolds, down pipes back on the car with the new heads.
Changing heads should be a weekend job with all new parts and I've spent bloody hours faffing about with Bananarama! that doesn't fit.

[Guy]

Chuck the cork gaskets in the bin Miles you will never get to seal right, I nice bead of RTV every time on a small block. Also if fitted take out the small dowel pins in the block as they will stop the manifold from seating propley their ok with the factory cast fannymould but no good with aftermarket items.
when you fit the intake with no gaskets between the heads are the gaps even all the way around or does it touch in places, what thickness are your intake gaskets there are different thickness's available.....

[MilesnMiles]

Hi Guy, I thought about doing away with the gaskets, but that leaves a quite significant gap, maybe 3/16" ; surely too much to block with silicone?
As for those dowels, they ain't shifting. I've drilled the underside of the manifold to accommodate them somewhat. When I fitted my own homemade 1/8" cork gaskets there was still too much of a gap although I suppose I could put silicone other side of those

[Guy]

if the gap is 3/16 put a 3/8th bead in it will seal fine, providing the engine doesn't pressurize and had good crank case breathing cant see it being an issue. I have only ever used the cork gaskets on the stock intake, all the rest had a good bead and sealed fine.

[MilesnMiles]

Thanks Guy, I've hard this before so I'll have one more go and I may use the thin gaskets with a head either side.

[DaveBishop]

Most inlet manifold manufactures recommend using RTV and not the gaskets

[MilesnMiles]

OK Dave, just surprised given the visible gap and that I don't really like large sections of RTV near moving parts. If that's recommended though, I guess that's what I'll do. ive certainly read it elsewhere that RYV is the go.

[Pete]

We always RTV the race car manifolds, but it can still be a bit hit and miss, especially if the motor produces some crank case pressure..........