No I did not know that, I figured they were tin. I guess i will have to strip one and polish it. Anyway i ended up making a spacer out of 1 inch thick Steel. It took most all day and I got Longer studs and I think its gonna work out fine. I went to Cummins first thing this morning and we went through every box that had a manifold in it and most were 24 valve or 8.3.
I also learned some new stuff. I knew my Trans adapater was a Genuine Cummins but Was told they were obsolete. Well the parts guy got the book out and showed me my exact adapter and also the flex Adapter for an Auto. It also showed Adapters for Chebby Trannys. Purty Cool stuff just real pricey.

 

I did the upside down manifold trick on a 91 F- 350 , I had to grind the manifold for clearance with the stock cummins housing. Your Trans adapter plate is a cummins stock unit? What did it cost? I used a Ford + Cummins kit and would be very interested in alternatives for my next project.

 

I dont know if I could have ground off enough meat with the Stage IV Housing Plus I did not want it that close to the heat so Im even thinking another ½ inch would be even better.

I got my Adapter, Flywheel and Starter Adapter off of Ebay for $350 Shipped. I have no clue what Starter I was supposed to use so i ended up Useing a Ford Powerstroke Starter with a Cummins Drive gear and the Adapter is in a Coffee can somewhere. Its worked Flawlessly for 2 years. The reason I was even looking is I want to Put an E40D Automatic in it, I hate Shifting and I also want to Race the truck in the Diesel Classes this summer. So i am gonna sell The Transmission, Transfercase, Clutch Setup and the Home made Crossmember. Then I can have some Funds to do the Auto Swap.

 

Loch, Thanks for the tip that the VCs were aluminum. I stripped them and polished them with California Customs Purple Polish and They look like Chrome, Now I need a Chrome bolts for the VCs. I think I am gonna strip the Intake elbow and polish it too