ok, so I finally got back so I can continue on my bronco. I had a hair-brained idea the other day to stick a carb onto it before running the megasquirt so I could get a baseline to compare power/mileage/drivability. so I grabbed an old intake (my 300 was originally injected) painted it and proceeded to bolt the manifolds up. but I have noticed that where the carb intake and the exhaust manifolds share bolts, that the intakes flange isn't quite as thick on the intake. not sure if i'm going insane or what, but is this normal? if its any big deal I will forgo the carb idea and finish hooking up the megasquirt.

thanks for the help and patience guys!

 

I have seen that problem handled in two ways: (first off, it is much easier to use studs, grade 8) Clifford Performance uses two washers on each stud. One is thick like the oem one, and one is thin with a larger hole. The one with the larger hole is positioned only grabbing, pressing against the thinner of the two manifolds.

The second way to tackle it, is just to go to the junkyard and get 14 of the oem thick washers, and clamp them one at a time in a pair of vice grips, and grind down one side of the washer face 1/16", then bolt it on.

Studs do make it a lot easier, and hold better too. Use gr.8 crimp nuts too. Torque in sequence to spec., heat, cool, retorque, repeat one more and forget about it. Use Mr. Gasket #260.