1G 2 Quick Questions: FIAV Gasket & Engine Bracket

[Ski Bum]

Today I was doing a boost leak test and I have a leak at the TB where the FIAV mounts to the TB housing. I have a FIAV blockoff plate installed and reused the original gasket. I'm sure I have the screws tight enough but it is still leaking. Is there a replacement gasket available or another solution to properly seal that junction?

Secondly I have another leak on the lower right side of the TB elbow (looking at the TB from the passenger side). My TB elbow (2.5") is such that I can barely get an open ended wrench on the nut to tighten it. Even so the wrench is barely on giving me the ability to basically hand tighten it to less than 5 pounds of torque. There is a bracket that connects the TB to the head using 2 of the TB mounting bolts and 1 of the CAS mounting bolts. If that bracket wasnt there I would have alot more room to properly tighten the TB bolts. How crucial is that bracket? It looks like the only support piece between the intake manifold and the head.

 

[ROOKIE1]

Not sure how crucial it is . I do know there should be a bracket under the intake . Held on by 2 bolts on intake and 1 on the block . Also if you remove that bracket on the throttle/cas . You would have to swap out the studs . I do not believe they are threaded all the way down the stud .

 

[Ski Bum]

Not sure how crucial it is . I do know there should be a bracket under the intake . Held on by 2 bolts on intake and 1 on the block . Also if you remove that bracket on the throttle/cas . You would have to swap out the studs . I do not believe they are threaded all the way down the stud .

Thats no problem, I already had to add more threads to the top stud for the new TB elbow. Although it may be easier to pull the studs out and add bolts instead.

The lower bracket must be the one that has the hard vacuum lines attached to it?

 

[ROOKIE1]

The lower bracket must be the one that has the hard vacuum lines attached to it?

You are correct .

 

[Ski Bum]

Any ideas on the FIAV gasket?

EDIT: just found the gasket, $4.90 from the dealership---ordered

 

[Ski Bum]

Anybody else have an idea how crucial the second bracket is? I would really like to take it off if possible.