Gasket for Manifold?

sgianino · #1 (**permalink**) 09-26-2007, 08:15 PM

After a few years of dealing with a leak im ready to fix it, found it using that dye.The leak is between the Manifold and Block on front of motor.If im using a Shelby Manifold and block would you know what gasket is required,looks to be a gasket between the heads and Manifold but not the block and manifold could that be just RTV silicone?

Thanks

Rick Parker · #2 (**permalink**) 09-29-2007, 01:38 PM

No it will be the Intake manifold, or at the front where the head and manifold parting line is.

convincor · #3 (**permalink**) 10-08-2007, 08:16 PM

I just recently did mine again. Had used just silicon for front and rear seals and it leaked. This time I used the cork along with "The Right Stuff" by Permatex. http://www.permatex.com/products/aut...sket_Maker.htm
No leaks this time. This stuff works really good.
Another thing, who's gaskets you using??
Here's my Fail-Pro's after 1100 miles-

Use Victor/Reinz "Nitro-Seal"- http://www.network54.com/Forum/74182...rmance+Gaskets
Another Leak I always had was the valve covers. Was using Fail-Pro rubber.
Now using cork gaskets. Glued them to valve cover with The Right Stuff (very thin layer) then a very thin coat of grease on the head side As you don't want to have to scrape cork of the head if it stuck. Again, no leaks.

Michael C Henry · #4 (**permalink**) 10-08-2007, 09:28 PM

I used the Fel-Pros and ended up with a small leak that caused foam in the oil. My gaskets didn't look near that bad. The area between the manifold and block is so small that cork end gaskets are not an option. I used Blue RTV across the front and back seemed to work and no sign of a leak there. I have the Victor intake manifold gaskets for this time and I'm using the Fel-Pro 1020 head gaskets any other reccamendations? Do I add any sealers or goo?

convincor · #5 (**permalink**) 10-09-2007, 04:24 AM

I used the Fel-Pro head gaskets myself. Just a very thin amount of sealer(silicon) around the water jackets. This was done before I discovered "The Right Stuff". Have since thrown out all silicon sealer.
Did the intakes using "The Right Stuff" just around water jackets, and a little near center to help hold in place.
Havn't used the Victor Head Gaskets yet but will next time...

Michael C Henry · #6 (**permalink**) 10-12-2007, 12:02 PM

I used the Victor intake manifold gaskets this time. They stick out beyond the heads in the front and back. What do you do with these protrusions?

scootter · #7 (**permalink**) 10-12-2007, 12:23 PM

Leave them there. If you develope a water leak between the head and manifold, the water will leak out there.

Also, when you get ready to install your intake with the new gasket and sealer around the water ports, it makes it alot easier to cut allthread, put it in the vertical holes ( long enough so you can unscrew them by hand with the manifold on)so the intake goes straight on and doesn't move around. Then put the other bolts in and slightly snug them before removing the allthread. Then put in the normal vertical bolts.

I also used the Victor Reinz gasket. It has held up much better then the Fel Pro that fall apart and leaks between the intake and heads. I didn't use the end gaskets either. I put a bead of silicone and flattened it with my finger, let it set for a few minutes, then ran another small bead ontop of that before dropping the manifold on.

Scott

Michael C Henry · #8 (**permalink**) 10-12-2007, 11:45 PM

I don't follow the all thread thing. Are we talking about the same FE engine?

Barry_R · #9 (**permalink**) 10-13-2007, 02:52 PM

He must have another engine - that trick won't work with an FE.

The Fel-Pro race intake gaskets are just that - race gaskets that are designed for easy trimming to match modified ports on engines that will see frequent service. They simply will not hold up to regular street use.

If you don't like the way the Victor - or the equally good Fel-Pro passenger car gaskets stick out at the ends - you can mark and trim the very end off with the band saw before installing them. I do that all the time.

convincor · #10 (**permalink**) 10-13-2007, 04:23 PM

His details reads SPF #1436 514
I'd guess it's a stroked 460.

Rick Parker · #11 (**permalink**) 10-13-2007, 04:47 PM

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.

Tom Wells · #12 (**permalink**) 10-13-2007, 06:04 PM

Rick,

Here's what the non-reinforced Fel-Pro Print-O-Seal gaskets look like after about 11,000 miles of heat cycles:

http://www.firstcoastcobraclub.com/v...c.php?f=8&t=13

It doesn't seem to matter whether it's a 351, 289, FE or 460. I have matching pictures of all those engines' intake gaskets. If you put enough heat cycles on them, they will do their trick. If you are lucky, the antifreeze will go onto the engine's outside, then onto the ground. If not, it will go into the lifter valley

Retorquing these will not get you any extra heat cycles; in fact, it may hasten their self-destruction. Fel-Pro verified this to me at last years' PRI show. They have gone to a reinforced version with a thin piece of sheet steel between the gasket material layers to prevent this creep. Note this happens at both the intake ports and the water passages.

This won't happen with a low mileage engine, or a racing engine that is opened up frequently, which was the intent of the original gasket.

Either the new reinforced Fel-Pros or the Victor Reinz would make a good long-lasting seal.

Hope this sheds some light,

Tom

sgianino · #13 (**permalink**) 10-13-2007, 07:44 PM

Tom Wells,
Thanks for the Info from the original post of my leaking Manifold to block issue, which now is a small issue compared to todays.
I came home after a ride and visiting a couple friends when on my way home noticed the car was not running 100%. Came home took off the breathers from Valve covers and thats when i noticed water

Check the oil dip stick and its the color of a Dunkin Donuts coffee(mind you i changed the oil last week so it was new)
Took off the distributor and we did see a ton of condensation and some corrosion that could of been an older issue.
The big $1,000,000 question is where is this water coming from? The head gasket or Manifold Gasket to the head

Thanks for any input

Barry_R · #14 (**permalink**) 10-13-2007, 08:48 PM

I'm actually the guy that wrote the current Fel-Pro catalog, and I had a little something to do with the initiation of the new reinforced intake gasket program....

convincor · #15 (**permalink**) 10-14-2007, 04:20 AM

My brother 514 did the same thing with the intake gaskets 3 times before switching to Victors..
Barry, good to hear that Fel-Pro now has the steel core as there usally easier to find then the Victors which alway's seem to be "factory order" parts..

Michael C Henry · #16 (**permalink**) 10-14-2007, 11:11 AM

In the event that I end up removing these Victor gaskets. What number will I be looking for to get the new Fel-Pro reinforced intake manifold gaskets for an FE lowiser heads? The Victor gaskets were considered high performance and not stocked at wherhouse and had to be ordered from California which made them expensive + shipping + more than one trip to the parts store + waiting several days + only one chain of stores handled the Victor gaskets.

Tom Wells · #17 (**permalink**) 10-14-2007, 11:47 AM

Michael,

Barry may know for sure but I think the newer reinforced Fel-Pro gaskets have the same number as the older ones, xcept there is an "S" appended to the part number.

Tom

Barry_R · #18 (**permalink**) 10-14-2007, 02:20 PM

The new Fel-Pros were/are not available for the FE yet.

rsb427 · #19 (**permalink**) 10-20-2007, 12:07 AM

Im pulling the intake tomarrow on my leaking engine.I used fel pro also and have steam out the passenger side exaust. pumped the radiator to 10 psi and have coolant in front intake runner! luckily none in oil but will obviously change after re sealing intake,I will use info here to order better gasket set thanks for info.

undy · #20 (**permalink**) 10-20-2007, 05:01 AM

I've got a brand new set of Victor Nitro Seal 427 medium riser intake gaskets (still sealed in their wrapping). I got them for my new Keith Craft Stage II CNC'd heads. I can't use them due to Keith's extremely large CNC'd ports. I'm really bummed about not being able to use them as I honestly feel they're the best gasket out there for the FE. PM me if you're interested in the gaskets.



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