"Members: After fighting with putting on headers and the orignal intake manifold...man you need 3 hands and the washers/holddowns needed to be modified,ground down to sit properly,"
Jimmi, I saw that topic on this or another forum. As I recall stepped holddowns got the job done simply and easily. Those are easily fabricated from flat bar stock and a milling machine or even a hacksaw, grinder and/or file.
"plus fighting with the 3 piece gasket...I was fit to be tied".
Scotch tape or masking tape will hold the gaskets in place temporarily.
"Then I go and try to torque the bolts down...There isn't any room for the socket ...only the outside bolts ( I changed out the guide pin with a bolt).....So I snugged it up real good. What else can I do..?"
Reach in from above or below with a wrench. You know what the correct torque for a bolt of that size feels like. If you don't, put a bolt in your vise and twist it until it breaks. You'll never overtorque a bolt after doing that experiment.
"And I find out I cant run my external oil filter on the manifold because it hits the headers...AGHHHHH. Bad night."
A home made bracket will position it correctly.
Now we're having fun, right?
