Does anyone make a guide to put in distributor hole to help install the intake manifo

[Chester C.]

These steel intake manifolds feel like they weight a ton when installing them on an engine in a car. You have to lean over and if they are not put on right the first time you mess up the gaskets. I was reading the technical book and it mentioned about a wooden dowel that you stick in the distributor hole and it guides the intake down onto the engine. Anyone make such a thing.

[Brad K.]

Re: Does anyone make a guide to put in distributor hole to help install the intake ma

I have personally made a couple 3/8" bolts about 1 1/2" long (above the threads) that I have cut the heads off. After placing the gaskets on the heads and block surfaces, I then screw in these homemade "studs" in the front and rear manifold bolt holes (on one side) with the studs sticking out of the heads about 1 1/2". I then place the intake onto these studs and slowly lower it onto the gasket surfaces. Sometimes it works well....sometimes it doesn't. The intent is to "guide" the manifold slowly into position rather than crash-land it onto the gaskets.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Does anyone make a guide to put in distributor hole to help install the intake ma

I usually try and do it with 2 people. Either one can lower and one can "spot" it, or both can try and lower it down together. You can try it both ways before putting on gaskets.

I do use Edelbrock Gasgacinch to hold the intake gaskets in place on the heads, and it seems to help.

[Chester C.]

Re: Does anyone make a guide to put in distributor hole to help install the intake ma

thanks, I will have my friend try this approach.

[Frank D.]

Re: Does anyone make a guide to put in distributor hole to help install the intake ma

I installed mine using a 1" wooden dowel through the distributor hole -- it helped a lot...