If I pull two intake bolts, will it leak later?

I've got an aluminum intake on my small block Chevy. There's a big, ugly A/C bracket that is held on by the two middle bolts on the driver's side of the intake. I don't need the bracket anymore. Here's my question: If I take those two bolts out (they'd both have to be loose at the same time) and re-torque them within a couple minutes, will I end up with a vacuum leak at the intake gasket? The bolts seem pretty crucial to me, since they're right next to the main ports for each pair of runners.
If the answer is "probably" or even "possibly", I can just cut the damn bracket off with my dremel and leave the tabs under the bolts. It won't look quite as nice, but the motor will still run great.
What do you guys think?

 

no problem

 

No offence meant, but why even ask. Pull 'em! Won't hurt a thing.

 

No problem,just don't over torque them.Dave

 

Are you kidding me???

 

And they let you own a car and drive? im moving to your state so i dont have to wait 6 weeks after my heart attack to get the ok to drive again.
Dave

 

Jeez, fellas, why don't you just rip on me a little?
Why is this such a terrible question?
I just wanted to know if pulling two intake bolts right right next to the ports might make the gasket break its seal. I've never had an aluminum intake on a motor before and I didn't know how finicky aluminum intake maninfolds are to this sort of thing. If any of you ever ask a "dumb" question about chopping tops or frenching headlights, I'll be sure to be there poking you in the eye, too.

 

...the only dumb question is the one you don't ask...

 

Even if you pulled all the intake bolts, it usually takes a crow bar to get the thing to break the seal.

 

There is nothing wrong with this question.


I read this thread to see what the answer was. That means I didn't know.


I've changed a few intake manifolds. I've bought the expensive gaskets and scraped the heads etc etc....

I sure as hell wouldn't want to break a good seal either.



This question is a good one. It shows this guy wants to do stuff right.

Bravo.

Thanks for asking.

 

it won't leak if you put them back in

 

atomickustom,,,I have a question.
Are you sure the 2 bolts you are referring to are actually holding the manifold down?
Is it like a triangular shaped AC bracket?
If I remember right,there were 'standoffs' cast into the manifold(s) for that bracket,which had nothing to do with clamping the manifold to the head.
If Im wrong on this,go ahead & remove it & re-tighten it all up.Make sure the bolts aren't too long,as a few of the middle ones will hit some pushrods.
Check em all(12) after you warm it up.
You'll be okay.

 

I think it'll be fine. What I don't know is why people jumped all over your $hit for asking this question


It's better to look before you leap. You were smart to ask before you did it.

 

Smarter than me I guess, I just took my chances and did it ! No, it shouldn't leak. Unlike some others, I won't go as far as to say no it will not leak, just that it shouldn't . Sometimes shit happens.

Tim D.

 

Its not a stupid question. Just and inexperienced one.

FWIW, My upper plenum on my Tunnel Ram Weeps Fuel (leaves brown ring-around-the-gasket) cause I didnt torque the bolts inside it enough for fear of strippping the threads out.