[Chuck Norton]

I have no interest in discussing the precise details of the situation but I saw a big block Chevy aluminum manifold that suffered catastrophic failure in the area of the runners about half way between the carb plate and the heads. The plate was still firmly attached by its four, 5/16" studs. I don't know exactly how much it took to break the casting but it was less than was required to lift the front end of a '69 Camaro convertible off the ground.