Milling Intake Opinions

[davbell22602]

Ford 390 4 bbl. w/ filler tube cast iron

I finished cleaning up this intake removing that rust I could with a wire wheel on a die grinder and stone bit on a dremel tool. When I was cleaning the gasket surfaces I noticed some bad pitting on the passenger side front corner on the intake. So I showed my teacher and said check in to see how much it would cost to mill 10 thousandths off on both sides. Napa quoted me $60 if they still pieces to setup the machine to mill a 4bbl. and Carquest quoted me $90, $45 per side. I dont know if I'll have any sealing issues if I decided not have it milled and try it as is. A new 390 4bbl in aluminum runs anywhere from $300-$600 new.

I thought of trying doubling up on intake gaskets and lots of silicone.

 

[89Suburban]

If you get it milled make sure we get some before and after pics. Do those places do it on premises or send them out? Did you try any machine or engine shops?

 

[davbell22602]

If you get it milled make sure we get some before and after pics. Do those places do it on premises or send them out? Did you try any machine or engine shops?

Napa and Carquest has there own machine shop and will it right there. I'll pics of the pitting tomorrow. The intake is still at school.

 

[davbell22602]

Here's pics

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[89Suburban]

What kind of intake is that, why are those ports separated like that? 0.o

 

[davbell22602]

What kind of intake is that, why are those ports separated like that? 0.o

64 Ford Thunderbird 390 4 barrell cast iron. One of those ports is a water jacket.

 

[89Suburban]

64 Ford Thunderbird 390 4 barrell cast iron. One of those ports is a water jacket.

So what keeps the bumpstick area covered, some kind of a pan or something?

 

[bucket]

If the sides get milled, the end rails need to be milled also. That way the gaskets will still seal the manifold to the head. If the distributor passes through the manifold, you may need to shim it up the same distance that was removed from the end rails.

 

[davbell22602]

If the sides get milled, the end rails need to be milled also. That way the gaskets will still seal the manifold to the head. If the distributor passes through the manifold, you may need to shim it up the same distance that was removed from the end rails.

So should I mill it or try to seal it to the block and heads first?

 

[davbell22602]

So what keeps the bumpstick area covered, some kind of a pan or something?

If your referring to ports then the valve cover does.

 

[bucket]

So should I mill it or try to seal it to the block and heads first?

I can't really tell how bad it is in the pic. I'd try a good quality gasket and see how it does though.

 

[davbell22602]

I can't really tell how bad it is in the pic. I'd try a good quality gasket and see how it does though.

Ok, Its pitted bad but the intake isnt warped.