[Verdoro 68]

Originally Posted by napster

Verdoro68,
Really like the way the heads came out. Good luck with it. I hope you get good numbers from the dyno. Are you going to run exhaust manifolds or headers?

I am going to do the same engine for my '69 GTO. However, life has thrown some curve balls my way and other projects are taking priority. The '69 is taking a back seat for now. Some of the curve balls are not car related.

I really don't know when the project will start up again at this point. Most likely a couple of years.

Jim

I'm running RA manifolds. Last time I rebuilt the engine, I pulled it one week before my son was born. Life got in the way then and it sat for a 3 or 4 years. The cars and parts will always be there, but sometimes priorities shift. It can certainly test your patience. Best wishes on your project and getting things sorted.



Found my first issue while mocking things up. Folks have given the repro RA IV intakes a lot of grief, but I have to say this one fits pretty well. The bolt holes all line up as do the ports and it sits squarely on the intake surface of the heads - without the valley pan on.

Where it doesn't work is with the Tomahawk valley pan. The pan and the intake has about 1/16-1/8" overlap on the front driver's side and rear passenger side. When I put the valley pan gasket in place with the intake gaskets, the intake gaskets won't sit down level with the ports because the valley pan gasket is in the way. If I put the intake gaskets on first (which is a non-starter), the valley pan goes almost all the way up to the bottom of the ports.

Seems to be common enough for Butler to mention it on their website.

***Valley pan/intake clearance on a Pontiac must always be checked with stock or aftermarket valley pans and intakes. You may have to grind the bottom of the intake runners if it sits against or on the valley pan and/or grind the top edges of the valley pan***

Looks like I'll have to take a good bit off to make this work. I'm thinking the best course is the clearance the valley pan in the offending areas or maybe split the difference by taking some off the intake too. I'm a little concerned about retaining a decent gasket surface area.