72 350 Intake Manifold Bolts

[brown7373]

Do the intake manifold bolts get washers, regular or lock?

[GASoline71]

Never used lock washers on an intake manifold. I've always used regular washers on. Also, make sure you put thread sealer (not thread locker) on the bolt threads as well. Or oil from the lifter valley will creep up the threads and pool on your intake.

Gary

[toolboxchev]

Originally Posted by GASoline71

Never used lock washers on an intake manifold. I've always used regular washers on. Also, make sure you put thread sealer (not thread locker) on the bolt threads as well. Or oil from the lifter valley will creep up the threads and pool on your intake.

Gary

That's what I forgot! Thanks for the tip!

[geezer#99]

With aluminum use flat washers. Cast iron doesn’t need any.
Watch your bolt lengths. 4 bolts are shorter if IIRC. The ones that screw in close to the pushrods are shorter.

[midniteblues]

Also the four corners are blind holes gotta watch too long of a bolt in them and they will bottom out and not seal.

Gotta watch those push rods too, and the path they travel as they just don't move up and down.
Your asking for some serious issues if the intake bolts are too long and they lock up or rub the rods.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by GASoline71

Never used lock washers on an intake manifold. I've always used regular washers on. Also, make sure you put thread sealer (not thread locker) on the bolt threads as well. Or oil from the lifter valley will creep up the threads and pool on your intake.

Gary

Very cool, I didn't know that and thread sealer noted.

I haven't checked all of them yet, but I'm pretty sure a BBC uses 3/8-16 x 1.1/4 flange bolts. You know, with recessed heads. No washers.

Only exception on a BBC is the A/C bracket that mounts to the intake. Based on my math and per the assembly manual, that bracket uses 3/18-16 x 1.3/4 regular hex bolts and lock washers............ I do not know if SBC is the same. Like someone mentioned, if they're too long you're screwed, pardon the pun.

[brown7373]

I have the originals. Two are studs on the 4th inner from the front. Driver side has the oil fill tube brace on the stud and topped with a nut. The passenger side stud mounted the transmission controlled spark solenoid mounted to it. I find it odd that the right front needs the A/C adjuster bracket mounted, because that bolt goes through that bracket.