So I finally got around to replacing the gaskets on the intake manifold. This is what I found.




Is that burnt oil spot on the bottom of the manifold anything to worry about? Also you can see in the pictures that the rearmost port on each side is clogged. What would cause that and should I worry about it later once I clean it up?

Here is a picture of the area below the manifold, does it look like it's supposed to?

 

Looks ok. The reason that spot is burnt is because that is where exhuast gasses go to warm the intake in cold weather. Blocking it off on a race car picks up power, but you dont want to drive in the winter like that. It makes almost any car VERY cold blooded, it will pop through the carb, and not wanna stay running.

When you go to clean all that gunk off, lay some rags in the valley above the pushrods to catch stuff so you arent picking it all out. I like to put a wad of paper towels in each port to keep stuff out of them as well. You shouldnt need to RTV the manifolds except on the ends where it meets the block, and you dont have to use an entire tube on it, just a 1/4" bead is all that is needed. Some brake clean works wonders for getting the oil and mess off the heads and intake. Wear safety goggles, its no fun being online or having a car if you cant see.

You probably know already, but dont reuse the gaskets..

 

thanks. i just gotta clean her up and put the new gaskets on. I think the hardest part will be lining it up. I left the dizzy on there because I dont want to mess the timing or anything up. I know about the 4 headless bolts in the corners to line the manifold back up.

 

The rust and crud in your cooling ports is due to bad coolant. A good coolant will prevent the rust and scale from building up. You'll wnat to check your radiator with that much crud.

 

ya I bought a aluminum radiator a while ago this summer. So that's all taken care of. I got it all back together smoothly and also replaced the bad header gasket. Now I'm just waiting until the RTV sealant sits for 24hrs then i'll take her for a drive. Thanks all.

 

its not hard to get the timing right, just mark the dizzy where the rotor is pointing, and then the closest spot on/in the engine compartment and make another, and when you put it back in, make sure they line up, the cap will always go back in the same spot