I am working with limited space under the engine cover, but would like to get rid of the cast iron intake manifold. I am planning on putting some free flowing exhasut manifolds on this winter as well. Is there a replacement intake that is aluminum that i can use for the 1990 7.4L peanut port heads that will not put the flame arrestor any higher. I literally have no more than quarter an inch to spare at the moment. thanks

Measure from where the carb sets down to the bottom of the front rail of the intake then check Edelbrock they show that dimension. I had to do that for the same reason.

Good luck

Ebrock performer is 4.300" and the stock Merc manifold is 3.125". Now if you have the adapter for the Webber style carb it should be about an 1" I would think. You'll be close. May want to look at a drop base air cleaner.

I have a set of aluminum manifolds off 1989 mags ....they should fit ..stock height .... also have a new set of Aluminum Edlebrock Victor Jr's ... I can measure them .....m ..

Well, i'm pretty sure i have the quadrajet carb, not a webber with a spacer?? Even with a different style of arrestor that was lower, the stud is still going to hit if the intake goes up higher.....

Weiand 8017 may also be a good choice for peanut port heads, but I don't think you will find an aluminum intake that is a direct replacement.
http://www.holley.com/8017.asp

Without sounding like a wise guy, just experience. Save your money for beer. You will not see any noticable perforamce gain. Save the headaches money.
The Mecruiser cast manifold if fine for your application.

My goal isn't to gain alot of performance, mostly looking to get rid of an ugly black, rusted, heavy cast iron intake and replace with a nice, clean aluminum manifold. THAT WILL FIT

This would be nice, but the weiand is an inch taller, won't work