I'm not sure if this would go here or in general engine tech, so a mod can feel free to move it. I'm running an Edelbrock Performer spredbore intake on my car right now. After removing my carb numerous times trying to find a vacuum leak along with tuning it, I seem to have destroyed all the threads in the intake (8 in all). I tried re-tapping it with a 5/16" tap, but to no avail.

My question is, can I just helicoil these with a 5/16" helicoil and be good to go again? Also, how exactly do I use a helicoil? Would I just get a drill bit that's one size bigger then 5/16" and then just bore out the hole, and then insert the helicoil and be done? What keeps the helicoil in place also?

-Thanks, Brandon

 

Yes, you can helicoil the intake. Use the drill bit size specified in the helicoil kit to drill out the damaged holes, tap the holes with the supplied tap, and screw the helicoils in with the little plastic tool.

 

Allright, sounds good. One question, i'm looking at these at my local auto parts store, and their running me like $20-$30 for just enough to do like 6 holes. Does that seem right?

 

Sounds about right. Mostly you're paying for the tap.

 

Allright. Thanks for your help.

 

One last question. It's kinda unrelated, but I figure there's no point in making a new thread for a fairly easy question.

I'm picking up a 650DP and it's going onto my Edelbrock intake. The intake is spreadbore, but the carb is squarebore. I have a 1" open adaptor to go from a squarebore carb to a spreadbore intake, but whenver I run it I either seem to get a vacuum leak from it, or the low-end is just kinda sucked outta the car. It pulls nice at the higher rpm's, but with the cam in this car it's already kinda hard to drive on the street, so if I can i'd like to not run the adaptor.

Will I run into a vacuum leak or any problems if I don't run the adaptor?

 

Are you runnin the gaskets with the adaptor. This will cure your leak if not

 

I am running the gaskets with the adaptor. Another reason i'm going with the 650DP is because it's mechanical secondaries as opposed to vacuum. Since my car is a manual, I was told it'd be much better for my application.

I've tried replacing the gaskets to no avail, I'm probably just gonna try to pick up another adaptor and see if that's the problem.

 

I've had a similar problem like this before, and thats why i was asking. I was using a metal spacer. but since switched to a plastic one to dissipate the heat, and it didnt leak anymore.

 

Which intake are you using?

 

An open spacer on a dual plane intake can ruin your low end. You want a 4 hole spread bore to square bore adapter. pep boys sells a spectre brand one, that is aluminum on the outside but uses a plastic (phenolic) spacer in the middle.

 

Edelbrock Performer intake. I'm running a 3/4" Mr. Gasket open adaptor to fit the spread bore intake.

This one: http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

Damn, I just spent like $25 on this adaptor a few months ago too.....

 

Oh he's using a Performer (not rpm). That is already a dual pattern intake. You do not need any adapter to bolt a square bore carb on it. Edelbrock sells a thin 1/4" spacer to help prevent leaks when using a square bore carb, but I have run that intake w/out it many times with no problems. Ditch that $25 spacer, and get a new square bore gasket, and mount it up and go.

 

Yeah, you'd only need the adapter if you were trying to put a squarebore carb on a 4 hole spreadbore manifold, like a stock one. I like using the thick (3/8" or so) gaskets, rather than the thin (1/32" if that) ones.

 

Cool, sounds like a plan. I'll just pick up a thicker gasket at autozone and run it.

-Thanks, Brandon