is the plate on the underside of the manifold necessary? mine was solid with crusted oil deposits.

I think that plate keeps the crusted oil from falling into the lifter galley. If you blocked off the heat riser passage you may not need it.

Originally posted by dennismc:
is the plate on the underside of the manifold necessary? mine was solid with crusted oil deposits. Dennismc

It is necessary. The deposits are why it is a good idea to remove the splash guard and clean anytime you rebuild or install a used intake. Use some loctite and sheet metal screws to re-secure the guard.
Mike

Oh yes, the underside manifold crud :rolleyes:

I recently went from a stock iron manifold, to a RPM Performer, which of course has no shield,
so I bought a Milodon lifter valley baffle,
it keeps the hot oil off the bottom of the intake and will keep lifters in their bores in the advent of say a rocker arm failure, this keeps oil pressure from falling off! So it has 2 great benefits ! These baffles due require a little custom fitting though due to allowances for casting differences in the block, but this is easilly done. :D