What is the differance from a silver top and a black top and will manifolds fit both

Silvertop has hydraulic cam lifters and the later blacktop has solid lifters.

I have no idea re manifolds but the silvertop is normally cast ali inlet/plenum and the blacktop is a plastic affair.

I have one to add, are the block mounting points from engine to the car the same? Are the gearbox mountings the same, i.e to a MT75/Type9?

[Edited on 24-3-07 by Chaz]

[Edited on 24-3-07 by Chaz]

I think the gearbox mountings are the same till the change to Duratec. MT75 Sierra box was used as a FWD box and called the MTX75. The sump area on the later post 97ish engines are part ali with a steel pan. the silver top/black top thing is not set in stone as at some point they crossed over, I think late early version engines had a black cam cover. Check the sump type to make sure.

[Edited on 26/3/07 by zetec]