We used to run into the same problem w/ 400 chevys, its similar to the steam holes in the heads. I dont think heat will be a problem, the only time that it is is if it was in a carb spacer that conducted heat that way. That's why they started to make phenolic resin spacers for carbs. It seems to me that your manifold would basically just act as a block off plate, and the water from the hose would give sufficient cooling. Best of luck, good thing you thought it out though, its like the measure twice cut once theory...Rob

Rob, you ain't lyin. Like I said it was just one of those things I felt that if we guessed wrong we'd be guessing REAL WRONG. Just wasn't about to chance it after all this time. Am going to forge ahead and put it together. Thanks. Russ