If the gasket between the intake and exhaust at the heat box becomes deteriorated, the manifolds can shift out of wack once you remove them from the engine and bang them around. I often kick mine, as they seem to often be under foot in my spacious, yet busy (trashed up, messy) shop.
I would not send it to the machine shop until you replace this gasket and install the manifold assembly to the head with the bolts loose as you have described above. You may not need the machine shop.
Carl
Last edited by 52Carl; 11/28/2015 1:11 AM.
