Gasket for Manifold?

[Rick Parker]

I like the Felpro performance gaskets and use them for Intake and Cylinder Head applications. I think the material they are made of and their design is intended to allow for quick sealing and conforming to surfaces that are machined (not original OEM) with tolerances that are far from what they were when the engine was originally assembled when new.
I use several "spots" of weatherstrip cement on the head locate the intake gasket along with a ring of "The Right Stuff" around the water outlet from the cylinder head and the gasket. I then firmly press the gasket in place and line up all the intake ports so the gasket is perfectly lined up. I let it set for a couple of hours and then apply another ring of sealant around the water port between the gasket and the manifold surface. Then install the manifold. I have never had a gasket shift or (knock on wood!)had a water leak. After a couple of heat cycles I go back an retorque the bolts to keep a constant even clamping pressure on the gasket. If this is not done the clamping pressure is reduced after being heated, that's when the gasket can begin to shift from 13-16 # water pressure pushing out on .050 thick gasket surface. That's why many of the gaskets surrounding the water ports are distorted after being taken apart.