The mechanic assembling my engine ran into a problem when installing the Mini-ram manifold. It doesn't seal at the back curve "S" part by the distributor. This is a major casting error and I'm very dissapointed with TPIS specially for $895. It apparently was given a sharper curve and cut too much into it that the back of the manifold does not seal. This was proven by a beautiful oil leak when the engine was spun on the stand. I have AFR 195cc heads brand new out the box so I know for the a fact its not the heads causing some sort of distortion. I just want to know if this is fairly common and there's a fix to this. I'm using 1205 Felpro intake gaskets that were professionally port-matched to the heads. I would lose the $200 I paid for the port-matching of the heads to the intake gaskets and manifold if I return it. We have arrive at two possible solutions. One to use a very thick gasket or to weld the piece of aluminum needed to seal the manifold properly. We tried calling TPIS but no Tech's were available so he's calling first thing tomorrow morning. Has anyone experienced this or heard of this sealing problem or was I one of the lucky ones to receive a bad batch of defective manifolds?

If anyone could shed some light into this matter or has any experience installing a Miniram please share your insight. I'm definently dissapointed with TPIS quality.

 

No one I know uses gaskets to seal that area. Use RTV, preferably black GM sealer. Throw those gaskets away that come in the intake gasket kit.
But you wouldn't know that if you had a mechanic put your intake on.
Also if it was defective casting, what would you loose on the port matched HEADS? You said you paid $200 to gasket match the heads so what does returning the Miniram have to do with that?

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86 Camaro Sport
LT1 Induction
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[This message has been edited by John Millican (edited November 14, 2001).]

 

Exactly how much of a space is there between the base and the block? It should be about or less than 1/4" iirc, and that seals up nicely with silicone. Orange or black will do fine. I have three of those little curvy gaskets adhered to my garage door back at home.

As long as it is the correct height to allow the distributor to sit properly, it can be sealed up fine.

 

TPIS's quality blows, that's for sure. I've helped install 2 miniram's, and both of them had their own little problems.

Nothing with the sealing though.

Compare it to your stock intake bottom to bottom to be sure that it is not the right shape.

 

I am also using AFR heads and a MiniRam II. Fortunately I do not have an oil leak at the back of the intake, but there is not much material around the oil pressure switch.
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