The Dodge Challenger Message Board

Changing the intake on the 440 tomorrow, 74 out of a motor home. Does anyone know if I should drain the ratiator first? Do any of the intake bolts go into the water jackets?
Thanks
Jen

Jen, my memory's a bit fuzzy because my last two engines have gone together out of the car, but I think some of the intake manifold bolts do go into the cylinder head's water jackets. I have a 1970 440 in the process of going together and will look tomorrow.

My memory is that the intake bolts do not go into the water jacket on a 440/383. In fact I am sure of it.

You can take the intake off without draining water or oil. I have done intake swaps many times. I can do one in an hour easy. Just make sure you clean out the valley to remove any bits of sealer or dirt that might fall in there.

The exhaust bolts/studs do all go into the water jacket.

Here is a photo of a big block head. Just as I remembered the intake bolts go into the air gap between each pair of intake runners. So no problems for you Jen.

Thank you, I got my truck on Friday its been a nightmare. No more ebay!!!! The front intake bolt was broken and someone siliconed the top of it back in. I am going to put a new intake and carb on it. The old 74 carter thermoquad on it now is in need of repair or the trash, I don't know wicth yet.

Would the tork for the bolts be 35 or 40??

Thank for the help
Jen

Yes.

If you had asked me I would have said 35lbs off the top of my head but I will have to check later unless someone beats me to it?

It is very important to tighten the intake in stages and in the right order. I tighten side to side from the centre outwards.

It might be a good idea for me to scan the tightening reference for each engine and put them on here eh?

thanks Dave

Shows how much I know! The correct torque is 40lbs Jen.

Sorry Jen - I did not mean to steer you wrong. I got home from my day, looked at the engine on the stand and came in to write a correct reply, but Dave had beaten me to it. You guys east of me always get there first! Was the bolt broken off in the head, Jen?

I torked them to 35. oh well I do it to 40 tomorrow. I have been wrestling with the starter forever, dam headers. Yup the bolt was broken in the head but lucky me, it was out enough to get vice grips on it. I dont know why some people are so stupid, silicone the head of the bolt back on. I am going to put the truck on my web site after it is all fixed to show people not to buy anything site unseen off of ebay.