Man I think I must be crazy to pull that thing off but I had too to fix a dang vacuum leak. I tore it down to just the manifold. I found some of the runner to manifold bolts loose which is where I thought the leak was coming from. So hopefully that was the culprit. When I reassemble this thing I am going replace the inner bolts with studs going up from the runners into the plenum and use cotter pins to enure the nuts don't back off and get sucked into the motor. Wish me luck with this thing!

 

Cotterpins are better than the stock way. But still hard to get the cotterpins under there.

A better way is to drill tiny holes in the bolts and bolt them in from the top. Run safety wire through and tie them to each other. That way, they can't loosen. An old airplane trick.

 

thats to bad you had a leak.
i have never had any leaks with mine.
have had a super ram on the car for over 18+ years

 

I usually use Gobs of RTV to ensure I don't have any leaks. I have pulled mine around 3 times It will be coming off to get ported pretty soon here as well...

 

I use a non stick cooking spray on my gaskets so they can be reused..

 

Really? Hmm, that is interesting. Do they seal up better?

 

I've never really had a problem installing the gaskets dry (clean surfaces are a must) but I got tired of spending money on gaskets and I hate cleaning off silicone and other types of sealant. If done properly you can reuse gaskets over and over and over..

 

I got the 4 middle bolts on both sets of runners tapped and studded today, and drilled out the corresponding holes in the plenum . Then I installed Heli-coils in the remaining 4 plenum holes because the threads in the aluminum were getting worn out. I will post up some pictures of it tomorrow.

 

use rubber gloves (to keep hands clean) YOU WILL NEVER GET THE ULTRA BLUE/BLACK OFF YOUR HANDS FOR A MONTH!

use ultra blue. spred it over the gasket with fingers. turning the gasket Blue. use a light/med coat. of ultra blue.on Gasket this way.(SORTA FINGER PAINT in hand.)

then lay gasket into place.remove gloves. and install parts..AND done..and no leaks.

and when it comes time to remove gasket..it will lift off in 1 piece!

thats how it works for me

 

acetone will get just about anything off your hands....but i'm sure its not good for you

 

man i dont know. if would take off ultra blue/ultra black.

you cant wipe HARD ENOF!!

we USE that stuff at work to clean parts all day long. i do not put my hands near it..on guy dropped his cell phone into it..

it was like a horror movie.. it just fell apart .

but who knows it's the same stuff that takes off nail polish.

 

I use it to take off right stuff, which is IMO the best RTV type stuff on the planet. Its incredibly strong and acetone will wear it out when you need to clean parts. That and a wire wheel.

 

"A better way is to drill tiny holes in the bolts and bolt them in from the top. Run safety wire through and tie them to each other. That way, they can't loosen. An old airplane trick."

Yep, that is exactly how I would do it if I had a Super Ram. The old safety wire trick.

 

After ruining 3 drill bits trying to drill holes thru the bolts for cotter pins. I have decided to install them from the top down using lock washers and loctite. I may even add a nut on the bottom side of the runners for peace of mind.

 

you can also get those lock nuts that have plastic/nylon after the threads to make sure they dont back out.