Intake hot spots, can't be good

[TedS]

I have 2 areas between intake runners that are hot spots. So much so that it's burning the paint off between runners 1 and 2 and runners 7 and 8. Whats the bad news?

[68stangcjfb]

No bad news. The exhaust runs through the intake manifold on a 428 (and almost all FE engines) between runners 1 & 2, under the carb & runners 7 & 8 to warm the carb in winter. Some people (me included) block those ports on a restored engine so the paint doesn't burn in those spots & if you don't use the vehicle much in cold weather months. You can touch up the paint from time to time if they are not blocked.

[TedS]

Thanks, that's a relief. The car has had an alum intake for the last 45 years so I've never noticed it. Now trying to  use the cast iron itake so i see hot spots. Wish I'd known to blank the ports  when I swapped intakes. How is that done?

[Drew Pojedinec]

I cut a small piece of sheet metal, knock it in with a punch. Cover with epoxy.
I live in the deep south, exhaust crossovers are not very useful here.

[TedS]

That doesn't sound too difficult. Thanks Drew.

[Coralsnake]

If you have spilled some fuel before that will accelerate the paint loss