Phenolic is a compound made from pressed canvas and resin that prevents heat transfer that is used in racing machines as a carb, TB, fuel pump, manifold spacer. A phenolic spacer between the upper and lower intakes would (a) greatly reduce heat transfer to the upper manifold, extending the life of the upper, and have a cooler fuel - air mixture (increasing hp), and (b) increase torque by increasing the runner legnth (however there will be a hp loss at the upper rpm range). Will this work? Not? Why or why not?

Hmmm..interesting thought...I know nothing about that so I will leave that to the people here who would know. But you did give me an interesting idea...what is this material like? How thick is it and what does it look like, cause I'm trying to come up with good materials to construct a heat shield from.

Check out these links to give you some idea of what these spacers are all about http://www.cantonracingproducts.com/...c/spacers.html http://www.brothersperformance.com/*...g/bbk1520.html. I would like to find out if they can be made for any application. Anyone??

That Phenolic compound looks a LOT like the stuff they use to use in the 40'* and 50'* called Bakelite(pronounced BAY-ka-lite). It was used to make telephones, head sets, and radios. Even though the Phenolic stuff is an improved product, I don't think it could take the pressure that it would be under(the torquing of the manifold bolts) and the vibration will cause it to crack after awhile. But that'* just my opinion.

Yes, it does LOOK like bakelite. I was playing with a phenolic fuel pump gasket a while ago, and this stuff is pretty tough. This gasket had been on a super sport oval track car, and still looked to be in pretty good shape. Maybe they dont hold up, or maybe theyre great, I dont know yet. I'm going to try to find out.