What's the best way to make sure the intake manifold seals? I've heard a lot of things like don't use sealant, use sealant, don't use the rubber front/back gaskets... so what would you guys say works the best?

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kenny

85 El Camino 355ci
350 turbo - 4.11's
best run so far 12.92
My Page (http://kenny350ci.hypermart.net)

A good thick bead of RTV on the front and back of the intake. Don't bother with the rubber seals, they're junk.



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Chris Dagenais
'71 Malibu with a home built 454! 12.7@107
"Our balls are bigger :)"
CDE Power! (http://www.71malibu.com)

Kenny.
.My personal preferece is Fel Pro gaskets. On the front and rear, we quit using the rubber or cork gaskets as you always seem to have a problem. Even more so if the heads or the block has beem planed. We put a GOOD bead of "ultra copper" and let it skin for about 30 minutes before droping the intake on. The ultra copper seems to take the heat and oil better than most, and has solved all our intake leak problems. Believe me,they do not like us on a paved circle track with an oil leak.

One more thing.I said a good bead but don't mean too good. A friend went way overboard on the silicone and it came off the inside of the intake, oil pan, valve covers etc,and ended up in the pan and plugged the oil screen. Last lap in the main event! Can you say KABOOM?

What about the head side? A good bead over there or should I just use the gaskets?

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kenny

85 El Camino 355ci
350 turbo - 4.11's
best run so far 12.92
My Page (http://kenny350ci.hypermart.net)

RTV front and back and gaskets on the heads. No RTV there.

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350 TBI EFI 4speed 12bolt 3.73's
Bench Blue w/black inter. 14.5@90mph
"UNACCEPTABLE!!!!!" Beldar

My 69 Chevelle (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/Chevelle1.jpg)

I put a thin bead around the water ports also.

On the end seals, I second the Ultra Copper. Before I was using Ultra Black, and they kept finding a leak. I put the Ultra Copper on, and it has not leaked since. Just put a nice big bead down and it will be fine. I am running a supercharged motor and it is holding up very well.

Tim

Fel-Pro gaskets, the kind with the blue bead imbedded in it.

Wether or not you use Ultra Copper or not to seal it really doesn't matter. I've done it both ways. Same result. Fel-Pro Rules http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif

I've always used those crappy rubber seals and I've never had a leak there, now if someone could make a foolproof and long lasting VALVE COVER gasket I'd be sold! LOL!

I place a small blob of sealer at the junction of the head and the block and then lay the gaskets on the heads. Then another little blob on top of the head/intake gaskets in the same spot. I then use Fel-Pro gasket glue and put down a few dabs across the block where the rubber seals will go. I only let the glue sit for a mintute or two (don't use much of it!) and then place the rubber seals in place. Then another little blob to seal the joint of the rubber seals and the gasket on the heads.

When you drop the manifold into place you need to make sure you get it on straight the first time. If you have to shift it around you will disturb the gaskets and sealer you have just laid down and it will not seal. This can be very hard to do by yourself with the engine in the car if you have a cast iron manifold.

Also, I do lay down a thin bead of sealer around each water port below and on top of the gasket. I do NOT put any sealer around the intake ports. I only use Fel Pro blue or better gaskets and a quality silicone sealer and ONLY Fel Pro gasket glue (the name escapes me).

The methods outlined above will have good results too, but again, if you shift the manifold around as you drop it in place you will mess up your seal.

The David Vizard book "How to Rebuild Your Small Block Chevy" outlines with great photos both methods step by step. I'm sure the equivilent big block book is similar. I'm not sure which motor you are working with.

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NCOA member #220
ACES member #1670
Team Chevelle #998
YesterYears Chevys #52949
Rich's 1965 Malibu SS Restoration Project Progress Page (http://www.geocities.com/ticklewiggle/)
1:18 scale diecast car Detailing by Scooter (http://www.amhost.com/scooter/)

Ever since I quit using those end gaskets and started using a big bead of Ultra Copper I have had no oil leaks. I usually put some sealant around the water passages and put a little extra in the corners.

I almost always use the blue Fel-pro gaskets. I have been told though that the blue Fel-Pros are more prone to failing on an aluminum intakes than a cast iron. I don't think I have had a problem with that though.

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69 Malibu 454 10.00 to 1
2400 stall with 3.73
284XE Cam 049 oval heads
2.19 & 1.88 valves 850 dp
1.71 60' 12.42 ET at 107
ACES Member #3635

Had the Fel-Pro's, they rock. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif Should be checking for leaks today... and finishing up. Score!

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kenny

85 El Camino 355ci
350 turbo - 4.11's
best run so far 12.92
My Page (http://kenny350ci.hypermart.net)

Rich-L79.
Have I got good news for you! We have a lot of small blocks as we do a lot of dirt racing in stock super stock and modifieds. Good old felpro solved the valve cover gasket problem a few years ago. They make a gasket that is actually 2 gaskets glued together with a thin metal strip between them to bond them together. These gaskets work!! Felpro is also making another gasket for the oil pan that is one piece with front and rear seals right in it. Fel Pro sponsored us and if I remember right,this gasket was really hard to get, but it sure was easy to use and it worked. I just called my friend that owns a Parts plus store for the part numbers but he is out right now. If you are interested,I will get them and post them for you. I have to adjust the valves on my big block this week end so I have a set of the double thick valve covers for the 396 here. The Fel Pro number for them is 1630

Update: Fel Pro number for small block double thick valve cover gaskets is 1604, Don't forget to get longer bolts. Stock bolts will be too short.

[This message has been edited by bcice (edited 10-20-2001).]

I've heard about the oil pan gaskets but the news on the valve cover gaskets is new. I'll have to try those! Thanks for the info and for the e-mail.

There is another company that builds a real thick valve cover gasket. (Maybe wilson?) Anyway, this gasket does not seem to be as good as the fel pro. The fel pro does not squirt out as easily for those dummys like me that always want to over tighten them. Because of the thin layer of steel between them they have a lot of sideways rigidity. I can say with confidence that you will be really happy with them.

I've never had a problem sealing the valve covers, but now since I'm saying this I probably will. Fel-Pro is about the only thing I use... I prefer rubber vs. cork on the valve covers.

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kenny

85 El Camino 355ci
350 turbo - 4.11's
best run so far 12.92
My Page (http://kenny350ci.hypermart.net)