MACE install concerns :/

[jnikkila]

I installed the MACE ported IM and spacer along with a plenum spacer a while back with red RTV instead of gaskets on the IM.

I ended up being nervous about this and ordering another gasket so I'm using no RTV anywhere in the install.

When i went to do the initial reinstall, I got everything lined up and started the 18ft/lb bolts, which went further then i remember then....POP goes my plenum cover....

Two weeks later and a new cover from GM is at my doorstep.

***CONCERN 1: I eagerly go to install and quickly realize the thickness of the gaskets doesn't allow me to use any washers or locking nuts on those bolts (I originally used 1 flat washer and 1 locking nut on each bolt) So I installed the bolts, bought a new torque wrench and put it at 15 ft/lb and am checking it every couple of days

***CONCERN 2: The front left bolt (not going through plenum) of the 6 that hold the IM down didn't thread...I pulled the bolt out to see one and a half thread worth of stripped metal on the bolt...My temporary solution was to apply loctite and get it as tight as possible, so far it hasn't budged but it makes me nervous.

With all this going on I'm nervous about pulling it all apart again to try and re-tap (is it even worth it) How dangerously am I living with the bolt in this condition? Keep in mind the other 5 are torqued down.

Also out of curiosity, how did others installed the plenum cover gaskets spacers? I used high-temp oil pan washers (a metal washer with rubber inside) along with two stock H style gaskets to support the spacers...(I did this because my gaskets blew out due to first install with faulty torque wrench.

thanks for reading my short novel, any input is much appreciated!

[MACE_ENG]

Originally Posted by jnikkila

I installed the MACE ported IM and spacer along with a plenum spacer a while back with red RTV instead of gaskets on the IM.

I ended up being nervous about this and ordering another gasket so I'm using no RTV anywhere in the install.

When i went to do the initial reinstall, I got everything lined up and started the 18ft/lb bolts, which went further then i remember then....POP goes my plenum cover....

Two weeks later and a new cover from GM is at my doorstep.

***CONCERN 1: I eagerly go to install and quickly realize the thickness of the gaskets doesn't allow me to use any washers or locking nuts on those bolts (I originally used 1 flat washer and 1 locking nut on each bolt) So I installed the bolts, bought a new torque wrench and put it at 15 ft/lb and am checking it every couple of days

***CONCERN 2: The front left bolt (not going through plenum) of the 6 that hold the IM down didn't thread...I pulled the bolt out to see one and a half thread worth of stripped metal on the bolt...My temporary solution was to apply loctite and get it as tight as possible, so far it hasn't budged but it makes me nervous.

With all this going on I'm nervous about pulling it all apart again to try and re-tap (is it even worth it) How dangerously am I living with the bolt in this condition? Keep in mind the other 5 are torqued down.

Also out of curiosity, how did others installed the plenum cover gaskets spacers? I used high-temp oil pan washers (a metal washer with rubber inside) along with two stock H style gaskets to support the spacers...(I did this because my gaskets blew out due to first install with faulty torque wrench.

thanks for reading my short novel, any input is much appreciated!

jnikkila,

We carefully machine the aluminum spacers to suit each specific plenum to avoid this problem from occurring. Being a die cast plenum cover, it's quite intolerant to any form of misalignment

If people are planning on using gaskets for the plenum (which I wouldn't) then make sure that you use the inside and outside gaskets

If you're running the plenum spacer and 25mm manifold insulator, then don't worry about using the washers supplied

In your specific case, I would monitor it to see how it goes. If it fails, the worse that will happen is that your idle will hunt

Hope this helps

Kindest Regards,
Steve

[jnikkila]

My idle is better than is was with RTV.

You said you wouldn't use gaskets for the plenum?

So you just have it stacked IM/spacer/plenum cover with no gaskets inside or out?

[Blade]

This is my setup. IM Insulator/IM/RTV/Plenum Insulator/Gasket/Plenum.....No issues so far.

[BaylorCamaro]

I used gaskets and then RTV around the seals to ensure everything was sealed properly. So far so good.

[Cyber Gray]

As long as you spread the RTV very well on the isolater, it should do the job.

[hapisok]

Originally Posted by jnikkila

I installed the MACE ported IM and spacer along with a plenum spacer a while back with red RTV instead of gaskets on the IM.

I ended up being nervous about this and ordering another gasket so I'm using no RTV anywhere in the install.

When i went to do the initial reinstall, I got everything lined up and started the 18ft/lb bolts, which went further then i remember then....POP goes my plenum cover....

Two weeks later and a new cover from GM is at my doorstep.

***CONCERN 1: I eagerly go to install and quickly realize the thickness of the gaskets doesn't allow me to use any washers or locking nuts on those bolts (I originally used 1 flat washer and 1 locking nut on each bolt) So I installed the bolts, bought a new torque wrench and put it at 15 ft/lb and am checking it every couple of days

***CONCERN 2: The front left bolt (not going through plenum) of the 6 that hold the IM down didn't thread...I pulled the bolt out to see one and a half thread worth of stripped metal on the bolt...My temporary solution was to apply loctite and get it as tight as possible, so far it hasn't budged but it makes me nervous.

With all this going on I'm nervous about pulling it all apart again to try and re-tap (is it even worth it) How dangerously am I living with the bolt in this condition? Keep in mind the other 5 are torqued down.

Also out of curiosity, how did others installed the plenum cover gaskets spacers? I used high-temp oil pan washers (a metal washer with rubber inside) along with two stock H style gaskets to support the spacers...(I did this because my gaskets blew out due to first install with faulty torque wrench.

thanks for reading my short novel, any input is much appreciated!

why did you use a locking nut on the bolts?