I would try a dry fit, make sure that the current holes aside, it looks as if center to center is about right, as in before the one bolt striping out it lined up right.

I wouldn't focus too much on a few extra pounds, the threads and the bolts are pretty tough... as in I've watched these go in with an impact that is way more then that rating. I would probably suspect some damage when the old bolts came out(or a slip of the tap when cleaning) more then anything else.

At this point, it's either new heads, and gaskets, or make it work the way it is. Just to throw it out there, might want to check on pricing of heads before taking a drill to the intake, but that said, I have had to use larger bolts before, and open the intake hole to do so, all worked in the end, but I would suggest a die grinder, or dremel as opposed to a drill bit, just to make sure it doesn't go off center the wrong way.

 

Thanks Dave.

 

Try a new gasket. Rovahfarm is in Arkansas, He has 2 valley gaskets allmakes and unipart (OE). You should have it in a day or two by mail.

I installed an Allmakes valley gasket this past weekend. It lined up with no problems. Hopefully can get it running this weekend.

 

Look at these pix. How much combustion chamber has been removed? Maybe more than I thought.....

 

You have valves down in the top photo, up in the bottom. May not be as bad as it seems; there's an internet headline right now about a guy who showed how 2 hours of working out, and lighting, could produce "before" and "after" photos that make it look like you should definitely buy that diet product. Worse case scenario, make sure you buy 89 or higher octane (compression has been been inescapably increased when heads machined.) But I personally would not worry.

 

Yep, I'm gonna look at other photos closer, it may be indeed just buildup.

 

So I am having the same issue. I have the same brand. But I used the advice from "NickAdams" after placing the clamps, and it worked...well some what. You have to push down pretty hard and insert a couple bolts to hold in place. So I re-moved my gasket, placed some sealer, placed the gasket again, and then bolted it down. I will leave it that way until tomorrow and then place manifold back together. Hopefully it works!