I've got a used intake manifold that someone sent me a while back. I was trying to install it and noticed old one is fairly flexible but the new one is pretty stiff. More importantly, the opening of new one is 2mm *smaller* and I can't seem to get it over the carb on the bench. Is this normal??? Are the later manifolds smaller than the early ones? What gives?

Doc I think that's a question for Curt but I think he's looking for his nuts to send to Wardon and don't ask me I don't no

Is 1 ported and the other not ported???

I ported the old intake myself, but not inlet ring for the carb. The newer one isn't ported.

I can't explain the inlet but it should be the same if no one touched it. as far as more flexible I have seen intakes that were ported thin in the corners and runners, flex real easy to the point that you can see them flex like a heartbeat when the motor is running. when they are that thin it can actually be counter productive.

It's' not *that* thin... I'm just saying the the rubber/silicone or whatever it is, on the inlet side, where the carb connects to the intake manifold, I can squeeze it with my fingers and it will flex. The newer one is considerably stiffer, and it's not because it has more material. Like I said, I didn't touch that part when porting because I wanted to insure it would maintain a good seal on the carb. No real benefit in removing that material.

It's usually the other way around. At least with cars... A newer intake booth is pliable whereas an older one becomes hard and brittle due to all the heat. Who knows, maybe the manifold on my bike is not original and actually newer than the used one someone sent me. But it still doesn't change the fact I cant get the carb to fit in it. I haven't tried *brute force* yet, but I wouldn't think it should be that difficult.

Dammit!!! I think I may have just answered my own question.

4WM-13586-00-00 Fits 1999-2003

5VN-13586-00-00 Fits 2004-2007

Oh well, look like I need to order a new one.

There goes the replacement for my broken highway bars.

I think the only difference between the 2 numbers you posted is 1 is for 1600 and the other for 1700. From what I understand between the 2 of them the the mounting holes are just a little different from each other. There should be no difference in flexibility or inlet size.

Well is it possible these things can shrink over time when not mounted? Like it said, it's pretty damn hard. I'm just at a loss here...

Yes, it is very possible for it to shrink over time. Boil a pot of water, remove it from the burner, and drop that manifold in it for a while.