I have a TA Performance SP1 Intake Manifold installed on my 1976 Buick 455 with Edelbrock Performer RPM heads. I'm in the process of lining up the motor to mount it permanently into my 1986 Buick Regal Limited. Does anyone know if this particular manifold comes with an angled carburetor pad ? ? ? I can't seem to get motor leveled front to back. Measuring it seems like it is angled. But nowhere in TA's description for this manifold does it tell you this. However it does specify for their SPX manifold
Use the upper valve cover mounting area to do the leveling, front to rear. Or the valve cover itself. You want the carb mounting pad angled once installed. Was that 455 rebuilt? Going by your name I'll assume it was. If not make sure the crank thrust has been checked.
I think it’s more important to get the driveline angles correct. Make sure your transmission and output shaft (front yoke of the crank) align close to your differential, and that you have room for your headers to not hit the floor boards or be too low to the ground. Heater-box clearance vs heads will be an issue too. Get all that lined up correctly and your intake carb pad angle will be fine.
It ABSOLUTELY has quite a bit of an angle. I took this picture when I first bought the SP1 intake and my 1000 DP carburetor from AED.
It seems like my motor is angled downward in front & tail end of transmission angled upwards. Could this be normal ? I don't know how or if it makes difference but the car currently has no hood, header panel, radiator & radiator support are off the car.
No the transmission should point a bit down. If the transmission is not bolted to the engine, the engine might tilt forward.
I was just looking at the assy manual and it says the engine should be lower in the rear than the front. 5 degrees angled down is nominal for the engine / transmission alignment. You can measure that on the face or the rear of the engine block if the top of the intake is tapered too. It also says +/-0.25 degree from that 5 degree mark. https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/b7b4f82b-7b49-4379-a2e4-9732e59d9a88/downloads/1ca3or8rt_527054.pdf Here is the sheet I got the info from.
