Inlet manifold toque settings

[Essex Stag]

Can any one confirm the torque settings for inlet manifolds as 20 lb ft . that is if I can get a toque wrench in now it is all assembled. He is puffing steam all the time . The manifolds were re fitted about two years 3.000 miles ago fitted Payen gaskets as advised by Paddocks . there is a tiny water loss but have a Stagweber tank and a warning buzzer
Derek

[DJT]

The ROM states 15 to 20 lb/ft. There are the two bolts at the front which you can't get a socket on. These have to be done 'by feel' using a ring spanner.

[richardthestag]

use tiger seal and good gaskets, do them up as tight as you dare I have a beam torque wrenches which are very useful at lower torques where my normal wrench is not accurate

BUT even that I am reluctant to use on the inlet manifold

I use a 3/8th socket set but hold the ratchet at the pivot and not the end of the handle, gently applying as much as I dare but so slowly that I can feel any give! I work all the bolts in a figure X type pattern turning maybe 1/4 turn once they feel tight and no leaks yet

One of the long bolts did start to slip. so I pulled it out and replaced it with the ever so slightly longer carb elbow bolt, shhhh dont tell the purists, it worked though

p.s. an offset spanner is very useful on one of the front short inlet bolts

[Paul Roberts]

I alluded to this conundrum,in another thread, some months ago.

It was, summarily, dismissed; by some.

The fact that the cylinder heads (both separate) are free to move in three dimensions (in/out, up/down, parallel) can/probably will lead to the (solid) inlet manifold being mis-aligned in, at least, one plane will/may cause gasket failure. It really is a three dimensional issue. Even torquing down the heads can/should require the inlet manifold to be re-seated.