Putting back an intake manifold on a 87 iroc w/305 and I forgot to put the windage tray back in the oil galley, I don't think it will hurt if I leave it out. I don't realy know and I don't want to take the whole intake off again. Is it that critical?

 

If it's the piece I'm thinking of, yes. That's what holds the lifters from spinning around. So yes, you need to put it back in .

 

That isn't a windage tray, that is a "spider" used to hold down the roller lifter locators. It is very vital, unless you went with aftermarket "linked" roller lifters.

Martin

 

yea, its not really a windage tray, its basically one big spring to hold the locaters in place

since we have a roller cam and lifters we dont want the lifters to spin around, we want them straight, so we put the locaters, but then as the lifters go up and down they push the locaters off

so we apply mild spring pressure to keep the locaters in place

 

Maybe he's talking about the splash/heat shield that attaches to the bottom of the intake manifold. It would be better to have it, but I run it without it and see how it goes. If it doesn't ping or over heat, you're OK.