Had my SuperRam base milled to line the ports up after zero decking the block and milling the heads. I got it back from the machine shop and checked the fit today by placing it on the assembled longblock with the gaskests. Port height alignment looked good but I noticed that that neither side of the intake mated up with the gasket flat.
Pulled the gaskets and put the manifold back on. The sides of the manifold touch the heads at the bottom ( below the intake ports) but have about a .010" gap down both sides at the top ( above the intake ports). Looking from the front or rear end of the engine there is a gap between the surfaces on the head and intake that goes from 0 at the bottom ( in the shape of a V) to the .010" at the top.
Anyhow, the machine shop said that is the way they are supposed to be and. The explanation was that the gaskets are about .060" thick and they are designed to handle it so there is adequate crush at the bottom 1/3 of the gaskets. I set the stock LT1 intake back on and it also had less crush on the gaskets at the top compared to the bottom. Maybe .005" to .007" less at the top. I don't know if this means the heads or block decks weren't cut at the right angle or if this is normal. Definitely don't want to have to pull the SuperRam later because of a leak.
Anyone know how these surfaces are supposed to fit or how much difference is acceptable?

Thanks, Michael

 

This is an interesting question. I dont know the answer but I will check tonight. I have my stock motor on the engine stand with the intake off. I will place the intake on top of a new set of intake gaskets and will see how it looks.
RG

 

Michael
I just checked my intake. I used a feeler gauge and no gaskets. I had to shift the intake from one side to the other in order to measure. I found the head and intake sealing surfaces not paralell to each other.
I had the same scenario. There was some gap at the top. In my case it was 004-.005 on the right side and .006-.007 on the left side. I had no sealing issues before i took it apart.