would 5mm steel plate be ok to make an inlet manifold for a pinto with bike carbs? was also thinking of 40mm round tube 2mm thick to connect to the carbs (yamaha R1)...

any thoughts?

thanks

How are you going to ensure the mating surfaces are flat enough to seal?

going to clamp it to a piece of hardwood so it doesnt distort while welding. right now its quite flat.. plus the gasket takes care of any minimal imperfections...

so would 5mm be man enough for a manifold?

cheers

Thats exactly what I used for my inlet.

Put the gasket on the 5mm plate and cut out the holes. I then flattened the 42mm 2mm tube until it was oval and welded it all together.

I used the original bike inlet rubbers bolted to plates on the tubes.
Rescued attachment Inlet.JPG

I have just been looking on the lolocost replacement site and they have ready made inlet flages for £12 may make life easier

http://www.kitpartsdirect.com/page6.htm

I wanted a flange from MNR but at first they were busy with the wedding, then they weren't doing any fab until they'd caught up, so I ended up making my own.
I used 6mm steel, drilling and filing the ports (not much fun), once welded it bent, bent it back into shape (ish) and the bolting of it to the head, straightend it out enough to mate with the head with no leaks

[Edited on 9/10/07 by UncleFista]

great, thanks for the help! gonna go get the materials 2morrow and get it done!