I thought I'd post this just to give everybody a little heads up. In the following two pictures (sorry they're not focused in on what I want you guys to see, just used some old pics, didn't want to take new ones) I've noticed a peculiarity in the LT1 manifold (or at least my 95 manifold, don't know if there are any descrepancies across the board). If you draw your attention to the coolant nipples on either side, you'll notice that the Driver's side nipple, or rather the area below it that contacts the head, has a little nook. This is absent from the passenger side which is straight across. This little nook was unecessary for my conversion and I doubt if it is necessary for anyone elses conversion either. Anyway, this little sucker caused a leak for me. I took care of the situation by JB Welding the little nook to look like the other side, worked like a charm. Maybe everyone should consider doing this JB Welding before installation of the manifold to prevent headaches later. Well anyway, just and informative heads up.

 

next pic

 

Mine's a '95 intake, but I never had a problem there. Although I do ring the holes with RTV on the gasket (both sides). Also, my coolant passage is in the back.


And the other end:

 

Mine doesn't leak.

 

This thread was intended merely to inform other swappers that the nook is absolutely uncessary and that if they want to be on the safe side would want to think about getting rid of it. I wish I had more info like this when I did my swap last year but it was just John, RCR and one other guy who wasn't even finished, and none of them had my 85 V-belt setup. Which reminds me, there are a few little odd things that have to be done for 85-87 setups that do not apply on the later setups. If anyone needs any help with it feel free to Email me since I don't frequent the boards quite as much as I used to. PM would be fine too since they send an Email out for notification.

 

Just showing alternate methods .

peace...

 

Nono, please take no offense. I just didn't want a long thread started with just simple replies of whether their own manifold leaked or not. Besides, you cheated, you put the coolant holes in the back . Personally If I had a shot to do it again that's the way I'd do it just to get the damn hoses to the back of the engine bay and out of the way.

 

So how many votes to move the coolant fittings to the rear instead of in the front?

Any issues with distributor clearance?

I can see some advantages to this. I've done a few rear fittings by request only. I do the fitting in the front because the TPI uses the front coolant ports off the heads, not the rear.