This photo shows a hot forged wire bracket I added to secure the throttle bodies to the manifold. There are three total (two on the other end). I made the bottom eye by heating 1/4 inch mild steel wire and hammering on the vise. This was the only way I could make the eye wide enough for 6 mm bolts at adequate thickness. A couple of small L brackets can be seen to secure the right side of the throttle bodies and the left side (on the pic) of the throttle linkage. I have now completed an adjustable idle stop and a full throttle stop at this point. Two ball studs will be added to pick up the ends of the Ford Throttle cables (green dots). The idle will be controlled by the stock ford Idle air control motor but these other two stops are necessary on metal throttle bodies.
The brackets not only secure the throttle body better than just the rubber tubes, but they create a nice truss of the whole assembly which should keep the manifold flat over time. I have some 5/16 wide by 2.5 inch worm-gear clamps(narrower than shown above) coming for a better fit of the clamps to the throttle bodies which have a slight taper. I will probably use these for the clamps to the manifold as well.
I used the long threaded inserts for three of these brackets. They worked just great. I drilled .9 inch deep blind holes (by 3/8 inch diameter). I threaded in the inserts with an allen wrench. This gave me nice steel threads for my 6 mm bolts. I was pleased.
The left side of the manifold in the pic will be down in the engine bay.
John
