As most of you know, if you swap the PI intake onto the NPI heads, you have to use RTV to seal up the gaskets like they need to be. Keeping the gaskets in place while putting the intake on the heads can be a real PITA. When my father and I were swapping out my NPI intake for the newer PI intake on my 98 GT, we discovered a rather useful and easy way to hold the gaskets in place when placing the new intake onto the heads.
First, we got a smaller bolt than is what is actually used to bolt the intake onto the heads (I think we used a 1/4 inch bolt); make sure it is at least 2 1/4 or so inches long.
We then ground off the head of the bolt; cutting it off will work as well. A plain old metal 1/4 inch metal rod will work just as easily. You can then place these into the bolt holes on the head; 2 on each head will be enough; and be sure not to place one of them in the hole where the longer cross-over bolt goes. This will hold the gaskets in place as you slide the intake into place, also onto these same bolts.
Once the intake is on, you can then remove the little bolts using either a pair of pliers, or a magnet, depending on how short you cut them. As I already mentioned, don't place one in the hole where the longer crossover bolt goes, or you won't be able to reach it to get it out.
I'm sure someone out there has already thought of this, but I haven't seen it in writing anywhere. Anyway, I figured that this could save some time for someone out there doing this swap.
First, we got a smaller bolt than is what is actually used to bolt the intake onto the heads (I think we used a 1/4 inch bolt); make sure it is at least 2 1/4 or so inches long.
We then ground off the head of the bolt; cutting it off will work as well. A plain old metal 1/4 inch metal rod will work just as easily. You can then place these into the bolt holes on the head; 2 on each head will be enough; and be sure not to place one of them in the hole where the longer cross-over bolt goes. This will hold the gaskets in place as you slide the intake into place, also onto these same bolts.
Once the intake is on, you can then remove the little bolts using either a pair of pliers, or a magnet, depending on how short you cut them. As I already mentioned, don't place one in the hole where the longer crossover bolt goes, or you won't be able to reach it to get it out.
I'm sure someone out there has already thought of this, but I haven't seen it in writing anywhere. Anyway, I figured that this could save some time for someone out there doing this swap.