Water in the Vee.

[Kevin Garrod]

As many of you know I have a modified inlet manifold, it isn't the original one and it has never fitted quite right, I think it's slightly warped.
Up until now I've got away with fixing the leak with K seal.
My plan now is to remove it and check for straightness with a view to having it skimmed.
What do you think?
Extra thick gaskets needed?

[38rover]

Do not overlook the core plugs I found that was the source of the water in my V

[Bob Heritage]

Depends on how much you have taken off Kev, or else you will have to remove a head as well.

[Kevin Garrod]

Do not overlook the core plugs I found that was the source of the water in my V

Thanks, the core plugs are relatively new (even the one under the IM).
I can see the leak from the corner of the manifold.

[Kevin Garrod]

Depends on how much you have taken off Kev, or else you will have to remove a head as well.

Hope not!

[Stagdad]

Kev I would refit Im with bolts and no gaskets. Feeler gauge all around to establish where the metal need to be removed to get gaps parallel. Then measure gap once parallel and add a few thou for compression( I added 5 thou) then get gaskets to that thickness or make some from suitable thickness gasket material . Good luck cheers Steve

[Kevin Garrod]

Top tip, thanks Steve.

[Kevin Garrod]

I finally got the IM back from the machine shop on Friday, the guy reckoned he'd taken 2mm off but I think he was exaggerating it didn't look that much to me.
Following Steve's advice I lightly bolted it in place with no gaskets and the gap looked pretty good all round, measuring less than the gasket thickness.
I slapped it all back together with some Wellseal, there was a tiny weep of coolant initially but after tweaking up the bolts a bit and running up to temp it seems OK now.
I'm taking it to work later and if it's still good I'll drain the coolant (just water at this stage) and top up with antifreeze.

[Stagdad]

Hope it holds up Kevin, shouldn't be working on them in this weather