Installed a new set of Sportsman II cylinder heads on a 350 block. When I put the TPI intake on top of the heads and block there is a gap of about 3/8 to 5/16 between the intake and block. Intake is flat against the heads on both sides and level. Why the big gap between the two? Anyone else have this problem.

Thanks,
kyrenegade

 

That's common, although 3/8" is quite a bit. Normally there's about 1/4" at the most, but then again, I'm not used to seeing NEW heads installed.

Just lay a bead of RTV sealant on the "China walls" (as their called), then set the intake manifold on.

There's not a lot of air pressure or suction in the lifter valley (as long as the PCV valve is OK, or an open breather is used), nor oil pressure so it'll work fine.

You may want to take the heads and the intake into a machine shop to have them check that the intake is meeting the heads square. If they're at slightly different angles, it can cause the intake to sit higher, plus the intake gaskets won't seal right.

If there's a problem they can grind the intake down to match the angle of the heads better.