Intake coolant leak
How can I check for port alignment when the manifold is in place? The gaskets line up with the manifold ports and the head ports when I check them independently
Because the thickness of the gasket changes where the manifold sits on the head.
You need to figure out if the manifold is sitting where it should be.
I don’t do much magnum stuff. I look at the relationship between the holes in the intake with the holes in the head. I pick the gasket I want and I machine the manifold to fit if I have to.
If you can’t use the bolt holes because of the sorry way Chrysler made the bolts you need to get a light and look with your eyes into the plenum of the manifold and see how the ports line up.
That will tell you if what you have is right.
Look into the intake and look at where the floor of the manifold meets the head.
With no gasket the manifold floor better be lower than the floor of the port in the head.
If it’s level with the head you will need to machine the manifold the thickness of whatever gasket you pick plus a clean cut.
None of these intakes are very flat. So I take a clean cut. I machine just enough off to get a fresh clean surface and then I remove whatever I need to.
Let’s say with no gaskets your manifold lines up perfect. That means you need to machine the manifold like I said.
If the manifold is higher than the head, you have to take off the thickness of the gasket and then some.
If the manifold is lower than the head you just need thicker gaskets.
You need to figure out if the manifold is even close to fitting before you do anything else.