So everything was going great with my engine build, right up until the point where I tried putting in the center bolts into the stock '88 tpi manifold.

That's when I found out that the bolt angle is different than what my new (albeit older cast iron '77) heads want (hey..it looked ok loose fitted on the stand at the time :-( ).

I really don't want to grind away the holes on the intake or ditch the investment in my heads (2.02/1.6) if I don't have to, so does anyone know if there is some adapter I can use, or a maybe a different manifold option out there etc.?

Thanks in advance

 

If you don't want to slot your intake bolt holes, but have '77 heads with 2.02" intakes in em, then I'd suggest throwing that performance-killing smogger stuff in the trash, and getting GOOD heads that also fit your intake.

 

As found on the aftermarket intakes that fit both style heads

 

As long as all the ports and passages line up, slotting the mounting holes shouldn't hurt. Good luck with your build.

 

I've slotted mine myself and no leaks on two different intakes on two different engine builds

 

Is done all the time
The only difference early vs late cast iron heads is the bolt angle on the 4 center bolts ( and the CB covers on late heads )
everything else is the same

 

Are there any issues with the bolt head clearing the runners when you slot the intake like that?

 

Why would there be ? both style bolt angles (bolt head position ) came from the factory

As discussed here ;
all you are doing is making one style intake fit the other style head.

 

just seemed pretty tight under there as I was taking it off of my 88. Figured I would measure twice by asking the dumb question before I cut once.