Aluminum manifold intake bolts

[Stephen R.]

Were aluminum manifold bolts used on the 2x4 aluminum intakes, and steel bolts used on the cast iron 1x4'S for C1 vettes?

[John T.]

Re: Aluminum manifold intake bolts

No. All intake bolts were steel.

John

[Stephen R.]

Re: Aluminum manifold intake bolts

No. All intake bolts were steel.

John

Thanks John. I have a set of aluminum intake bolts, any idea of what they were used for?

[Jerry B.]

Re: Aluminum manifold intake bolts

Hello John, Do Not Forget The Special Washer In Order Not To Mess Up The Manifold.

[John H.]

Re: Aluminum manifold intake bolts

Thanks John. I have a set of aluminum intake bolts, any idea of what they were used for?

Steve -

Do you mean you have intake manifold bolts you think are made of aluminum? In 38 years in the auto industry, I've never seen a bolt made of aluminum; they would be hopelessly inadequate for any automotive application, with not much more tensile strength than a pencil.

[Joe L.]

Re: Aluminum manifold intake bolts

Thanks John. I have a set of aluminum intake bolts, any idea of what they were used for?

Stephen------


I'd suggest checking them with a magnet if you think they're aluminum. If there's strong magnetic attraction, then they're steel, probably with a zinc plate.

Aluminum alloy bolts are available, though. They are used for specialized applications and as John Hinckley also noted, none were ever used for any automotive application. Mostly, I think they are used in the aerospace industry for applications not requiring much strength but where minimum weight is desired.

[Stephen R.]

Re: Aluminum manifold intake bolts

Ah, here's my story. I was looking for a set of original intake bolts for my slooooowly being put-together engine which is mounted on the engine stand in the basement.....winter project....I have two intakes, a 1x4 and an aluminum 2x4. Haven't decided which way I want to go (or what I can afford), so I'm prepping for both.

Saw a few sets of bolts for sale on Ebay, most of which were way too expensive (one set went for $125), but a guy was selling grade 5 circled AP "aluminum" intake bolts cheap, $10 plus shipping, so what the heck, I bought them. Figured maybe that they went on the 2x4. I just tried the magnet test and they are, in fact, steel, but they look like aluminum. Anyway, it's a nice looking set.

As to washers, page 55 of my Corvette restoration book says washers weren't used.
Thanks again guys.
Steve

[Rod K.]

Re: Aluminum manifold intake bolts

No washers, bolts are probably cad or zinc plated.