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[alfafan]

All boxer engines have a spacer between the head and the intake manifold.
What are the consequences of instaling the manifold direct on the head without the spacer and only with the normal card gasket?

[Brit01]

I wasn't aware they had a spacer??

Only between the carb and inlet manifold with paper gaskets on either side.

The inlet manifold and head should only have a paper gasket.

Where did you hear/see this?

Maybe you meant between the carb and inlet manifold?
Even on the IE models I think they only have paper (reddish in colour).
_________________
S2 33 1988 1.7 QV
Dellorto DRLA40 (32mm venturi)

[alfafan]

[Brit01]

sorry my mistake.

learnt something new about the 16v today.

The 8v doesn't have it.


_________________
S2 33 1988 1.7 QV
Dellorto DRLA40 (32mm venturi)

[alfafan]

Now that part is not available from the factory.
So I´m thinking to apply the throttle bodies without those spacers, as I dont see anything wrong doing that.

[Brit01]

I guess as long as you have no vacuum leaks there should be no ill effects.

Maybe a very thick gasket to compensate a little?

Or even a home made plastic spacer.
_________________
S2 33 1988 1.7 QV
Dellorto DRLA40 (32mm venturi)

[lee16v]

I guess they are there to provide a heat sink between the cast block and alloy throttle bodies. Doing away with them could cause the paper gaskets to break down and leak and as the water goes through this also, not a good idea. Most things are done for a reason and if Alfa could have cut this corner I'm sure they would have

[Bobkelso]

Hi..just registered from Italy in your very good forum..

I think spacer are made of heat isolators (may be is "bakelite"),
are there to stop heat to go from motor to intake manifold,
if you remove it you got air in the intake more hot, less dense
and so less power, if you can don't remove the spacers !!!

I have see these spacers in carbs boxer and in 16v i.e. boxer;
that are motors with massive metal intakes just over the heads,

Actually I don't remember if they are also in 8v i.e.,
where there are less metal in the intake structures just over the heads,
(so less conduction of heat) as butterfly valve is more distant,
so may be spacers in 8v i.e. are less necessary
(if they are not present put them may be will be a little improvement).

[john 33_16v]

Alex - 33bits on here has the spacers. His dad makes them.
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If it aint broke, fiddle with it until it is!
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93 33 16v Mirtle Met
08 Fiat Grande Punto Exotica Red
90 Yamaha FZR600 Genesis- Silky white/red/blue

[alfafan]

I talked with a very good friend of mine who prepares boxer Alfa Romeo for racing here in Portugal.
He told me that if if was a carb version I shouldn´t remove that as they have an anti vibration funcion wish is very important for carbs.
But on this engine and because it is injected the only funcion they have are heat insulation, but also told me that there is small diference with/without then. He also told me that in competition they remove them.

[Bellamachinna]

Hi Carlos.

Don´t remove the spacers. When my 16v engine was rebuilded, the mechanic found that they were split/broken.

Paper gaskets are to thin to get proper seal between heads and throttle bodies, without a softer and flexible gasket to act as "shock absorber".
Also they provide a heat insulation to the butterflies within the throttle bodies.
With heat, metal expands and the butterflies work with very tight tollerances, so, they can jam and distort

I made mines. A friend got me a board of "bakelite" (in white, instead of black as the original) and using the old ones as templates i cutted the board with a dremmel.
Took a bit of time (and patience) but they fitted perfectly

All the best
Paulo Camilo
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All'interno della mia macchina, vi sedete, tenete sopra e CHIUDETE IN SU...

[alfafan]

Hi Paulo

Tomé from Fabrica Italiana told me about that, but also told me that in an injected car there is no problem about vibrations. In a carb version he wouldn´t advice removing but in an injected it has no problem.
He also told me about heat insulation, but also told me that the difference is very small.
So I toke his advice. I only put the paper gasket wish I glued with gasket glue.

[baiones]

[alfafan]

Pedro, no result yet...
The engine is still out of the car.
Maybe next weekend it will work.

[Bellamachinna]

Hi Carlos

Hope it works

All 16v engines that i saw beeing rebuilded, have those gaskets broken. Seems that they handle a lot of vibration and heat, and end up broken.

Keep us posted about the work
Good luck

Paulo Camilo
_________________
All'interno della mia macchina, vi sedete, tenete sopra e CHIUDETE IN SU...