Take It In

Making lots of horsepower requires an engine that inhales large amounts of air. The smart move for more power includes an intake manifold matched to the engine’s performance characteristics. But before the manifold can provide that power, it must be installed properly. All the components that attach to the intake manifold must also be bolted on properly.

To help with that, we’ll delve into the world of intake manifolds and offer tips that make installation easier and allow for better performance. Follow along and you’ll discover ways to help your engine breath easier.

It Looks Clean

A proper intake manifold installation largely depends on how clean the engine is. Before swapping intake manifolds, spend a few minutes at your local spray-and-wash to remove engine grease and debris. This will prevent dirt from falling into the engine lifter valley or intake ports when the intake manifold is removed.

Performance Is in the Details

Before beginning any intake manifold swap, it’s important to record the routing of all engine vacuum hoses and brackets. If you have a digital or instant camera, take a few closeup pictures to help record how everything is attached. Next, attach masking tape to each vacuum hose and use a Sharpie pen to identify where each one connects.

If you’re installing a new intake manifold, read the instructions and keep a pen and paper handy for notes you may need later. Before removing the distributor, note the position of the rotor and distributor housing before removal so it can be reinstalled in exactly the same position. Once the distributor is reinstalled, you must verify the engine timing with a timing light.

Since you’ll be removing electrical components, disconnect the battery cables. This will also ensure that the engine is not accidentally disturbed during the swap. Next, drain the engine coolant and remove all hoses and brackets. If any hoses appear deteriorated, now is a good time to replace them.

After the hoses, brackets, carburetor linkage, and distributor are removed, the intake manifold can be loosened and all the mounting bolts removed. With the manifold loose from the cylinder heads, remove it from the engine bay. Clean the surfaces of the intake manifold and cylinder heads, and use lacquer thinner or denatured alcohol to remove any oil residue that could keep the new gaskets from sealing.

Before placing the new gaskets in position, apply a quality sealant to the mating surfaces and gaskets (where required). Do not use RTV on the intake gasket since gasoline will dissolve this sealant. Use a quality intake gasket sealer that will not break down. Make sure the beaded sides of all intake gaskets face upward.

Align the cylinder-head bolt holes with the intake-manifold bolt holes and hand-tighten the bolts. You might also want to temporarily install the distributor into its seated position to accurately align the manifold. Next, torque the bolts down beginning in the center and cross tightening outward.

Reinstall the distributor and attach all the brackets and hoses. Check that the carburetor opens to full throttle, and top off the coolant. After reconnecting the battery, start the engine, check for leaks, and double-check the ignition timing. A quality intake manifold installation will perform well and look great.