I will be replacing my intake manifold gaskets.
I have a Blue Thunder aluminum intake. Any good spot to get some leverage to separate the manifold? Or best way to separate it?
Think I'll need to remove the corner studs to allow the manifold to lift off?
Do I have a shot at getting the bypass hose installed without removing the water pump? I'm thinking that managing a nice, straight installation while also trying to work in the hose could be a problem.
Advice on hose material - EPDM rubber or silicone?

 

Usually smack a small chisel into one of the corners and be careful not to damage the manifold too much
Those studs means it is going to have to come straight up
Put a cherry picker on the carb studs with an carb stud engine puller and tap on the manifold with a dead blow hammer (beat hard with a dead blow)
Spray it good all over with a rust penetrant
Love taps with a hard steel tool on those studs

 

Thanks. I don't have a good plan to get a cherry picker in there right now - a bit of a tight fit in the garage and the hood is in the way for an easy rig off the garage beams. I'll give it a try w/o, then will rig something for a straight pull when that fails. Tried to unscrew the studs with a double nut - but they didn't want to budge.

Any thoughts on installing the bypass hose w/o removing the water pump?

 

The bypass hose is not as bad as you think
Cut the new one 1/4 short of the gap and bend it into a V shape to install

 

Cool. And I just tried that on the existing set up and worked ok. Hammered the hose too much, but a bit more patience should do it

 

Thanks for your help. Using all the methods.
My "jerry" picker did the final job on three of the studs. 4th one by the water neck is really seized up. Applied PB Blaster, hammer blows, some heat, lots of leverage w/ jerry, to no avail. Hopefully better luck tomorrow.

 

Success! I fabbed a puller. It came up pretty easy. Now hoping the studs will come out so that I can replace them.
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