Cometic Intake Manifold Gasket - Heat Passage Blocked

[ERA Chas]

Get FelPro 1247 S-3 intake gaskets. Barry has them.

[bobcowan]

Originally Posted by fordracing65

Is this a must, (the right stuff) I've heard of it, do all engine builders use it.

Originally Posted by Rick Parker

It is far superior to RTV.

I use it occasionally, but not often. The up side is that it seals really well, and will cure to usability in less than an hour. I had to do an overnight gasket change on a race week end, and that worked really well.

Of course, just like anything else in life, there are a couple of down sides. It's very expensive, 2-3 times the cost of a tube of good RTV. It sets fast, so you gotta move. No messing around. Get that manifold on straight and torqued down pretty quick. Because it forms such a strong seal, it can be a bear to take apart and clean up later.

I generally use standard RTV with good results.

One trick for installing the manifold. Because of the rapid cure time, you want to get the manifold set in place correctly the first time. If you have to shift it around much, you displace the gasket and disrupt the sealant. Then you have to buy a new gasket and start over.

There are a couple of tricks that make this job really easy.

- Put a light smear of whatever sealant your using on the gasket around the water ports, front and rear. Just a light smear, and only on the head side. Set the gasket in place exactly where you want it, and press down for minute or so. That will "glue" the gasket in place so it doesn't shift while you install the manifold.

--- I also put a small smear on the other side of the gasket around the water ports. I'm not sure that's really necessary. But it seems to work, and I'v never had a failure.

- Get a couple of bolts (or a piece of All-Thread) the same size as the manifold bolts. Cut the head off the bolts, and cut a screwdriver slot in one end. Screw those into the head holes as guide studs. Then you can drop the manifold over the guide studs and into place correctly the first time. You'll probably have to adjust the manifold a little bit, but usually not more than about 1/16" or so.

[blykins]

Originally Posted by bobcowan

- Get a couple of bolts (or a piece of All-Thread) the same size as the manifold bolts. Cut the head off the bolts, and cut a screwdriver slot in one end. Screw those into the head holes as guide studs. Then you can drop the manifold over the guide studs and into place correctly the first time. You'll probably have to adjust the manifold a little bit, but usually not more than about 1/16" or so.

Works great for a small block, but won't work on an FE...

[undy]

Originally Posted by bobcowan

- Get a couple of bolts (or a piece of All-Thread) the same size as the manifold bolts. Cut the head off the bolts, and cut a screwdriver slot in one end. Screw those into the head holes as guide studs. Then you can drop the manifold over the guide studs and into place correctly the first time. You'll probably have to adjust the manifold a little bit, but usually not more than about 1/16" or so.

That's sorta hard with a FE...

[lovehamr]

Originally Posted by undy

That's sorta hard with a FE...

A note with that; remember that the distributer determines the final resting place of the intake, so it needs to be ready to stab as well. Only after the dizzy is in and NOT bound up should you start snugging down bolts. Lots of weird requirements for FEs.

Steve

[RICK LAKE]

Rick Parker Rick A good RTV sealer from GM, Ford or Honda will last as long if not longer than the right stuff. Right stuff drys and cures too fast. Over time it hardens. 10 & 15 years on a motor build without a leak with gray RTV. Have never seen Right stuff last that long. Other down side is cleaning of removal. If job is a couple of years or less in age, a good sharp razor blade will remove from surface. Longer time needs chisle and hammer or grinder. Only down side to RTV grey is curing time of 24 hours. You can still move gaskets around within the first 2-3 minutes. You don't have this with Right stuff.


Mongoose 930 The grey RTV will work better than the cork gaskets on the front and back of the intake. Need 2 guys to install manifold and install the distributor quick to center and others have said. Just make sure that the ports on the manifold and heads match the ports on the gaskets. Also check the coolant passages for gaskets not blocking flow. This happens on the Fel Pro 1247 ones and need to trim openings and then RTV both side of gaskets. Good luck. Rick L.

[bobcowan]

Originally Posted by undy

That's sorta hard with a FE...

Oh yeah, I keep forgetting about those wierd Fe motors; I havn't worked on one in a long time.

Now, a small block..........