Whats your method for lining the intake manifold up properly?

[Matt300ZXT]

So far I've come across a Harley video on loosely bolting the manifold in place, then installing the carb and back plate and making sure the crossover pipe between the heads is in place to allow the manifold to sort of "self center", then tighten it a little, remove the carb stuff, and use a ball end hex socket to torque the 4 intake manifold bolts in place. It's all I've seen so far and seems pretty solid since it's from a bike mechanic school. Anyone have any challengers?

 

[SCC007]

Sounds right

 

[Mr. Wright]

That's the way I do it

 

[knothead]

Yep thats how its done

 

[Matt300ZXT]

Right on, well that doesn't seem so scary. Anyone know the torque figures for the 4 pain in the ass manifold bolts? Lol

 

[HMAN]

Its not exactly on my list but I would shoot for around 16-18 ft lbs.

 

[Mikeinjersey]

Check for vacuum leaks if your motor runs poorly (rich/lean) or your carburetor adjustments seem out of speck.

 

[Th3InfamousI]

That's a fine way to do it. It should never get out of place, the only time it will ever get out of place is when people don't use any type of carb support brackets. S&S always states to run carb support brackets for this reason, just the weight of a carb is enough that it will slowly start to sag over time with the riding and vibration. A lot of those cheap overseas spikes don't have brackets and just bolt on and people are running them, they will get out of square, cause leaks, and worse case scenario would be cracked intake manifolds. Cracking an intake manifold could lead to a very bad day.

Service Manual has 16 ft/lbs with BLUE. I would be more inclined to do 16 ft/lbs with just a smidge of RED should be hex head bolt on the bottom and SHCS on the top.