The #2 cylinder of my O-290-D2 has been a real problem child. While dealing with the impossible-to-reach inboard exhaust flange nut, I noticed that the intake hose is actually touching the header wrap on the exhaust stack which runs below the intake tube, and is very close to touching the upper exhaust stack. This seems like a recipe for disaster. Has anyone else had this problem and if so, how did you solve it? Has anyone tried using silicone rubber hose or flexible metal hose? Does the exhaust stack need to be reworked? Any suggestions would be very appreciated.



Here's a wide-angle shot taken before I installed the intake tube and hose:


P.S. If anybody was wondering, that aluminum flexible "hose" you see running along the top of the oil sump is Thermo-Flex, a flexible high-temperature heat shield which will hopefully protect the wiring to the starter and alternator. The insulation on the #2 wiring to the starter was actually discolored due to the heat in that area.