Saw that Corey bought some phenolic, and since I had an oil leak (due to my crappy intalls on the lim), I inspected the core and it wasn't in good shape. Didn't feel safe putting it back on, and the rtv blocked one of my pcv passages.
So while picking up supplies for a job at Lowe's (since the ebay seller for phenolic didn't have anything in a workable size) I grabbed a 6'x12"-3/4" $40 piece of red oak.
The old core was 2-3/4" thick, this new one is three pieces and makes up 2-1/4", which is 1/2" smaller in thickness.
The 1/2" will help with hood clearance, but it makes it way harder to reroute the pcv passages now.
It's 90% complete right now.
I need to finish painting outside, finsih up pcv passages, and pick up my blower from the shop.
I went ahead and made sleeves, Thanks Herc for the idea.
The harder oak wood should help from compressing as much as the other crap I had (it was really bad), and the sleeves should provide the strength so I can torque it down properly now.
It's been a PITA.
I just need my car back, hasn't been up and running for a week.