replacing the intake manifold gasket

[Burnd]

Originally Posted by Eljaro

Well Bernie,
that is exactly how I have done it untill now.
The two bypass tubes are so close to each other that Warrens solution seems impossible, unless I shorten one of the tubes.
And now that we are at it, with what do you tack the gaskets in place?

Eljaro:

1. You are correct on the tubes. In fairness to Warren; those tubes will vary in length depending on what manufacturers manifold and water pump is on the car. Mine is a Blue Thunder and we looked this afternoon and it would be impossible to do on my car. My tubes are almost touching "inside" the bypass hose. Warren can get away with on his, so the tubes must be shorter.

2. I should qualify something for you in my response regarding the front and rear dam gaskets. My manifold head surface that mates to the manifold has been trued and shaved. Consequently my manifold sits closer to the block deck and the use of the front and rear gaskets is not necessary, so the front and rear dam is easily achieved by useing Black RTV in lieu of the gaskets. If your front and rear dam gaskets fits, then there is nothing wrong with using them. Having said that; the way to prepare them is test them DRY and ensure that they don't buckle or bend when you set the manifold down on them. Otherwise, if they are too tall the front usually will squirt "out" forward and the rear one usually squishes "in" towards the oil galley. If you elect to use the gasket then "tack" the BOTTOM of the gasket on to the block with Permatex Red Hytack first. Then put a blob of RTV in EACH of the corners and then a bead of Black RTV along the top of the gasket. BTW: Let the Hytack sit for a minute before you mate the gasket and the 2 edges together. We also bevel the gasket edges with a razor to match the angle, if required. You have to eyeball it. The Permatex Red Hytack comes in a can with a brush in it.

3. Manifold to Head Gasket: we use the Permatex RED HyTack on the head side of the gasket. We paint it on with the brush on to the bottom side of the gasket and align it with the ports. Let it set and then we use a little (spread with a finger) RTV Black on the upper side of the manifold gasket. Then you are ready to button it up with old insertion method into the bypass hose from there. If there is any adjustment required when you insert the manifold bolts; the Hytack keeps the gaskets in place on the head and the Black RTV on the top surface can give a little.

This is the way we do it and it's been consistently successful. I am sure everybody has their own tweeked process but this method has worked well for us. I hope it's helpful to you and good luck with whatever method you choose.

Bernie