A car's engine creates power through the combustion of air and fuel. In most modern, fuel-injected systems, the air and fuel mix together inside of the component known as the intake manifold. One end of the manifold consists of a single tube through which fresh air flows. The other end consists of multiple smaller tubes, each of which connect to one of your engine's cylinders. Between the intake manifold and the engine block sits the intake manifold gasket. http://www.sharonparts.com/intake-manifold/ford-intake-manifold/