I just spent 2.5 hrs cleaning and painting my ('50 216) Intake/Exhaust Manifold that's in excellent shape to put on my fresh (235) with a '59 head. When it came time to install the Intake Rings.......you guessed it, they didn't fit. Early 50's 216 manifold has smaller ports than Late 50's 235 head. The Manifold on my (core) 235 is "toast", that's why I was wanting to use the 216 Manifold.
I read that you can put the (216) manifold on the (235) head without installing the Intake Rings. Kind of "Mickey Mouse" (but if it works....) What would be the "Cons" to doing this? I not concerned about performance. I did see an earlier Post here by "Big Tee" (post # 729906), a few years back he was doing this very same thing but (if I remember right) I believe he was planning to ream out the Intake manifold to accept the larger Rings. I plan to PM him.
what do you think? Can I use my 216 without the Intake Rings? Jim
Short answer- - - -yes the manifold will bolt on without the rings. However, there's about a 99.9% chance you'll have a vacuum leak. There are stepped-down rings designed to make the manifold/head mismatch align properly. I think some of the resto-parts places sell them, and they aren't expensive. You can also make your own step-down rings by using pieces of exhaust pipe tubing and a little tinkering. The rings don't seal- - - -they just keep the manifold and head aligned so the gasket doesn't slip out of place. Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
