Is there a function to the 6 white bolt spacers other than to "space" out the plenum? Does it block air or have anything to do with the air flow?
I am missing ONE. I have 5 out of the 6 and I feel that's enough to act as a spacer between the lower and upper plenum esp if I omit one of the ones in the middle. But if it affects airflow I'm going to have to contact motordyne and possibly pay for the hardware package for $50.

Anyone have an answer? thanks.

 

I always thought it was jus to guide the bolts so they don't move during install.

 

No, you're absolutely correct. They just act as spacers, so ommiting one will have no effect whatsoever. Its all good.

 

Thanks guys Guess there won't be a problem with the install. Fingers crossed*

 

I feel they are there to prevent stress on the plenum itself. Without the spacers there, you are torquing the bolts against an upper plenum with a huge gap between itself and the lower plenum. You would probably "over torque" the bolts before actually reaching the desired torque setting by sucking the upper down towards the lower plenum. You might be fine with only one missing, but I wouldn't do it.

 

Yeah i definitely have heard of some people cracking their plenum from over torquing the bolts. I guess i'll have to be very careful to do that one last and to do it to spec and no more.

 

I've only read of people cracking the bolt heads. Ud have to be one strong **** to crack the plenum

 

At least go buy a stack of washers and glue them together. I wouldnt risk it.

 

I think I've seen something similar to the plastic ones at the hardware store before

 

Hahaha whoa whoa whoa, this is the most ridiculous overreaction ever.

If you look at the bolts there is a large part with no threads on it. The plastic pieces are only there to keep space. They aren't supporting much if anything. You will have no problems with one missing. They're only there to take up the space of the extra 5/16 of an inch you put between the plenums.

Besides, even if they were supporting torque, that small amount of tq applied over 5 spacers instead of 6 would NEVER be a big enough difference to split a piece of cast aluminum. Think about it, man: if 6 guys helped each other pick up 100lbs it would be really easy, right? Well if one guy didn't show up, the other 5 could still do the job without flinching.

That said, however, this isn't even the purpose of those spacers. Don't worry about it, dude.

 

Under heavy heat the plastic spacers are very important to the Plenum's structure, are you crazy to think they are not necessary?

You SHOULD replace the other missing one, but it is NOT necessary if you torqued to 100 IN LBs appropriately.

 

Had this same problem and ran with 5 spacers for awhile with no issue. You can buy the spacers from them at 75 cents a piece with 15 dollars in shipping, lol. I took my spacer off for now, but it shouldn't be a problem.

 

$15 shipping lol. Why don't they just send it out in an envelope?

I'm not sure it's necessary for the structure but I guess I'll take a better look once I open it up and start the install.

 

They FedEx it out to you and I guess that's the minimum cost, lol. I know that's why I haven't bought a replacement; I can't justify spending 15 dollars in shipping for a one dollar part, lol. If you leave one of the middle spacers out and tighten down safely you should be good. I had it installed like that for several months without any issues. I only took it out while I was doing my timing chain, radiator, and bunch of other things, but kept it stock.

 

I never understood why companies just HAD to use a specific delivery service when there are cheaper alternatives esp in the States. I mean its not like it would cost them anything more or be more difficult to send things USPS if its gonna save the customer money. USPS comes by thier address everyday anyway.