How to Run a Tunnel Ram With a Rat Rod
A rat rod is a hot rod from the early 1950s that has most of its non-critical parts removed. The term was coined to describe low cost, home-built hot rods that are a little rough around the edges. The key feature of a rat rod is a loud engine with straight exhaust pipes coming off the headers. Installing a tunnel ram on top of your rat rod's engine provides an over-sized air intake for the carburetors.
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Things You'll Need
- Rags
- Brake cleaner
- Gasket coating
- RTV silicone sealer
- Torque wrench
- Thread lock
- Ratchet
- Socket set
Instructions
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1
Spray brake cleaner on the engine head intake flanges and engine block end seal surfaces and clean with a rag. The surfaces need to be pristine for the gasket to seal properly.
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2
Apply gasket coating on the cylinder head flanges and the cylinder side of the gaskets. Allow the coating to air dry and position the gaskets on the cylinder head flange.
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3
Apply a 1/4-inch bead of RTV silicone sealer along the block end seal surface, overlapping the gasket at the corners.
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4
Install the intake manifold bolts by turning them into the intake manifold bolt holes clockwise until tight.
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5
Apply a dab of RTV silicone sealer to the threads of the inner bolts.
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6
Tighten the manifold bolts by the sequence outlined in the resource section to 25 foot-pounds of torque.
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7
Apply gasket coating to the top of the gasket and install the manifold top section onto the bolts.
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8
Apply thread lock to the hold down bolts and install them through the manifold and into the base by turning them clockwise. Tighten each of the bolts with a ratchet and socket.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Drill a small hole through the head of each hold down bolt and install a safety wire through the hole to lock the bolt in place. This prevents the tunnel ram from loosening due to engine vibration.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/AbleStock.com/Getty Images
