Intake Gasket Question

Finally found my problem, had a blown intake gasket. Does anyone use special method or gasket for sealing Eldebrock aluminum intake and aluminum heads together? Engine has 1000 miles, just don't want to do this every year. Thanks
Joe

 

I dont know what other people do but I put studs in the front and rear corners rather than using bolts that way you can drop manifold right into place and no moving around. I also throw the end cork or rubber gaskets away and use a 1/4" bead of rtv with a little extra at the corners. Never have used the end gaskets and always worked good for me.

 

A good gasket shellac will help like permatex indian headgasket shellac or edelbrock gaskacinch

 

I also don't use the end gaskets. A bead of silicone there, and a bead around the water ports. Let it set up for a while before putting the manifold down on it.

 

this time i am trying the stock 90s mustang one, i bought the special trickflow one to go with my all aluminum top end and was VERY uninpressed with the seal. the mustang one has rubbery end seals for the manifold that work GREAT! so far. i will keep you informed once i get some more miles on it.

 

Thanks guys. I pretty much did what you guys are saying. Just can't figure out why it blew. After I run the engine should I retorque the bolts?
Joe

 

yes retorque after a couple of run cycles

 

X 2 on retorquing the intake. As a matter of fact, you should go thru the sequence several times before running the engine. You may also need thicker intake (port side) gaskets. As for the end seals, I use em if the gap under the intake is too large for a bead of sealer to work.

 

i have never gotten a good seal just using the bead alone, but i think thats because i get nervous half way down the line and my hand starts shaking like i have a disorder....

 

you can also use 4 carb spacer bolts (the long ones) I put them in, slid the intake over them. Put bolts in the other holes, then unscrewed the spacer bolts and replaced with intake bolts.
I have used gasket and silicone and just silicone. No preference on that for me.

 

I see I'm not alone in putting old carb studs to good use. Old 289/302(long) head bolts make dandy transmission and bell housing guide studs after cutting the heads off. Makes installing an engine a one man operation.

 

x2 anything to make installation easier

 

Thats all I have used for the last couple years.

 

Got the gasket changed today. Everything seems ok, car ran great. Thanks for the idea of cutting bolt heads off and using as line up guides, worked great.
Joe

 

Had the same problem, until i sent edelbrock the intake back after being disgusted with changing them out. Turns out, it was one of like 1500 that went through QA milled wrong on the back left corner. They replaced it, and now its never been a problem.. also, i was usuing the mr gasket premium gaskets... psst, pure junk. always use felpro. and never use the cork end gaskets, use the rtv.