inlet manifold removal

[Cloggy Saint]

I want to remove my inlet manifold to do the 2.5 tb conversion. Not being the most confident mechanic, can anyone give me any tips or possible pit falls that i may encounter? Is it feasable to remove the manifold, grind it out, clean/paint it in one day? Thanks

[Ziggy]

It's not difficult, but there's a million and one bolts on it - when you think you've got them all out, there's probably at least 3 left! & some of them are quite awkward to get at.

It's certainly possible to remove & port it in one day, but I'd leave longer than that for painting - you want it to have plenty of time to dry between coats etc...

[Cloggy Saint]

Cheers Ziggy. I keep hearing about the mysterious "13th bolt" that holds th manifold to the head, but i have an inlet manifold in front of me and i'm damned if i can see where it goes!