I personally can't see where there would be a problem with the rivets not allowing the manifold to seal to the head. The rivets are outside of the clamping area. Combination that would cause this? More than likely lack of experience and not paying attention to the mating surfaces on both the manifold and the cylinder head. Here is a picture of how all mine look....courtesy of Myota.
[Linked Image]

I've got to take some pics of my engines one of these days and store them in the computer.

~Darin <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/baby.gif" alt="" />

88' 4x4 *22R-EB Gen II*
87' $Runner *22R-EB Gen I*
85' Sillyca 22R-Esq

"I LIVE IN MY OWN WORLD...THEY KNOW ME WELL THERE"