Finally getting to putting on the lt1 intake to the 113/aluminum L98 heads. I made sure everything lined up before starting to bolt it down.
However, as i'm progressing there are 3 holes that are a PITA to get the bolts in. They feel like they start to thread, and then get tough to turn by hand. Most of the bolts screwed in a good bit until I had to use a wrench. As you can guess, I dont want to start wrenching down on the bolts for fear of stripping the threads in the heads. I'd take the intake back off and recheck everything, but the holes line up(if at an odd angle), and i already rtv'd the gaskets to heads and intake, and it's glued on like a mother...

anyone else put the lt1 intake on the aluminum vette heads? how did the swap go?


on a side note...if i dropped a washer into the lifter valley, what are the possibilities of it doing anything? I dropped a washer somewhere and i heard it jangle, but can't find it. It's not in the dizzy slot, and i'm working in the yard full of leaves and couldn't find it in the grass(not surprising there..missing some bolts down there too)

 

I was under the impression that the Lt1 syle intake need some modifications to fitting normall Gen. I heads, but I may be wrong on that. Oh and on the washer thing, if there is one in your lifter valley it will eventually get down in the pan and most likely get all tossed up in your motor by the crankshaft doing all kinds of damage. I wouldnt risk it, you better take the intake off and look just to be sure. Good Luck.

 

http://www.lt1intake.com/swapping.htm says that modifications need to be made, the 4 corner holes are OK, other than that, mods are needed.

I second finding that washer. A little bit of work now will save you a lot of trouble down the road.

 

which holes?

 

the intake was modified by john millican.
I saw in the feedback section that another guy had the same problem...might try to contact him..

the holes i'm having problems with are on the driverside, 2 middle, and the next to last rear bolt.

 

you try lining up the gasket like this before you put the intake on?

 

yup...always do that to make sure that a piece of material doesn't block or anything.
I specifically remember lining everything up, b/c i was kicking myself for not gasket matching all the ports

i'm going to try to coat the threads with soap or something to help lube them up. maybe. dunno.

 

threads in the head could be galled. maybe try to find an old used tap to run through the hole, as it won't take off as much thread material as a new one...

 

If the angles are even slightly wrong, they won't want to start to thread. Trust me on this. That was the hardest part of the conversion process. Even with John's help and instructions.

 

hm. well, since i think i'm going to have to take the intake off anyways, i might as well find my dremmel and widen the holes. i'd rather have the holes too wide and have to use a larger washer, than not enough

thanks guys

i wonder if this is sort of an (un) known issue with the 113 heads?

 

the picture above is of my LT1 intake with the gasket properly matched to the ports, you can see how the holes aren't exactly right, my intake was modified by john, he did a good job, but nobody's perfect. However, don't go crazy on the intake with the dremel, especially since you said it looked right when you lined the intake gasket up on it. Check the threads first in the heads, try to put the intake bolt into the head with the intake off.

 

what gaskets are you using?
i'm using MRG-5820(from the summit catalog).

 

I'm using a fel-pro 1205, they match the height of the port, but are wider than the stock LT1 port, but then I matched the intake to the gasket. most people use a smaller gasket than that, like a 1204 or maybe the gasket you're using, I just happen to have 200cc intake ports. i'd just check the thread first, if they're messed up it would give you a messed up torque reading anyway, so I always chase the threads before I do anything. I'd just avoid grinding on the intake if at all possible, do that as a last resort.