Leak!

[RamoNZ]

Pop some plugs in the block and never worry about dropping coolant again.

That and the fact that the inlet manifold is no longer trying to heat up the intake air that is already going to be warm from the exhaust heat

[Lucky]

Explain "pop some plugs in"?

Preferably with pictures

[RamoNZ]

Welch/Freeze/Core plugs - 19mm in my case and I presume the same for all.

Little bit of sikaflex or 3bond or something to sit around the edge for good measure, ditch the oring as its no longer needed and voila - no more coolant leaking from the inlet manifold.

Bear in mind that it *may* take a little longer to warm up in the coldest months but a) youre a southy like me and b) how often are you driving in the dark of winter and c) the extra 2 horsepower is worth it not to mention the pain of having to bleed the system if you do manifold work.

[ian65]

I put blue hymolar between the gasket and block and rtv silicon around any water channels..... never had a problem. Don't use the silicon anywhere the fuel goes near it though... unleaded eats through rtv silicon.
I'd be tempted to take Ramons advice and bung some core plugs in the water channels... problem solved for good then.

[Lucky]

Damn, didn't realise this was an option. Why didn't you say so a week ago lol. I bet there's nowhere I can get 19mm core plugs off the shelf on a bank holiday weekend

[RamoNZ]

Damn, didn't realise this was an option. Why didn't you say so a week ago lol. I bet there's nowhere I can get 19mm core plugs off the shelf on a bank holiday weekend

Try a couple of coins - 10p would probably work as long as its fits the hole and can be held in place by silicone or something similar. Its only ever going to be low pressure (15psi) get creative!

[Steve-A]

I'm rocking 2p pieces siliconed in place. Seems to do the job!

[RamoNZ]

I'm rocking 2p pieces siliconed in place. Seems to do the job!

Thats the spirit Stevo, why spend 10p when 2p will do??

[Lucky]

You fellas are no help at all . The hole in the gasket is 30mm diameter, a tuppence is 27mm and a 10p piece is 25mm They can't all fit, WTF? I need to get this over and done in a day since it's suddenly become my only form of transport ( ****ing plastic cars) so I need to get all the gubbins sorted in advance cos once I start taking it to bits I have to be able to finish the job. Any definitive answer?

[Steve-A]

I've currently got 2p installed with silicone. They don't fit tightly, just sit in the recess on the block, but with silicone they seal fine and stop the water running round your intake manifold. What it doesn't do is stop the need to drain the coolant when removing the intake manifold, because then the 2p's tend to come off with the gasket and intake manifold.

The freeze plugs block the coolant run off for good, which makes removing the intake easier and do the same job of stopping the intake heating up as much.

Alternatively you could just assemble as stock, with a smear of silicone round the gasket as Ian suggested, where the coolant flows and it should stop you leaking but you'll still have coolant warming the incoming air.

There's never a definitive answer, it's all part of the fun