intake manifold question

[HarlessR]

I had a post in the engine mod section about my bike pinging and found it had an intake leak around the intake flanges. I installed new seals and fired it up and the leak was gone. I rode a couple hundred miles yesterday and noticed the pinging was getting worse again so I checked the intake for leaks and found it leaking again at the flanges again.
I installed the manifold and gaskets by following the service manual, is there a trick or different method to keep them from leaking? Could it be a bad manifold?
Thanks, Harless

[TXCHOP]

Did you check manifold alignment? Are your intake flanges from the same year as your heads. You can lube the seals a bit when installing as it makes less of a chance for them to bind. Also, if heads were milled that can change the "stack height"...

[midnight sporty]

yep danny beat me to it.. i had to file down my intake runners a bit to make it fit in there properly and seal right..

[HarlessR]

Yes, the intake flanges are from the same year as I put heads from an 06 and knew I needed the flanges also. I'm really not sure about manifold alignment? How do I check that?
I didn't have the heads milled but am using .030 head gasket.
Can you "accidentally" tighten the flange bolts too tight and maybe warp or bend them? Coul I possible have a bad manifold or flanges?
Thanks, Harless

[TXCHOP]

When you install the manifold, just look through the front opening and see. It doesnt have to be an exact match, but use your judgement. The gasket shouldnt be your problem either. There is some "play" there.

Here is a pic of mine.

[HarlessR]

Thanks txchop, I did look through the intake and it look fine to me. I've got another manifold laying around I'll give a try just to make sure that's not the problem. Can I reuse the gaskets, the only have 250 miles on them or should I just get new ones?
Thanks, Harless