Intake gasket droop

Tony Aprile · #1 (**permalink**) 10-05-2006, 07:39 AM

I ordered my VR gaskets thru NAPA auto parts.

Took a few days to come in !!

undy · #2 (**permalink**) 10-05-2006, 08:43 AM

or... Car quest. If you've got a local hot rod parts shop locally they can usually order a set too.

cwmcobra · #3 (**permalink**) 03-21-2007, 04:11 AM

Hi Tom,

I have the same problem with my 514. I've had small coolant puddles under the car for the last 2-3 years. I've retorqued the intake a couple of times, but that didn't hold. I see the gaskets extruding out of the corners of the intake. The final straw was what I thought was a header leak; backfiring from the right bank. Tightened the header, but didn't solve the problem. Pulled the plugs and found the right rear plug oil fouled. Obviously, the intake was pulling oil from the valley of the block! I retorqued the manifold again, changed the plug and it's been OK. But, it's time to fix a couple of other problems as well, so the engine is out of the car (to do the other fixes, like replacing the ring gear on the flywheel) and I've purchased the Victor Reinz intake gasket.

Do you have any advice on how to avoid dumping coolant into the block valley when removing the manifold? I've obviously drained the radiator and quite a bit of coolant escaped from the water pump while the engine was tipped at different angles during removal. I'd like to keep the coolant out of the valley and the oil if possible.

One more comment. I ordered the Victor Reinz gaskets from NAPA online and they sent me the wrong set. I had to reorder, supposedly to get the right parts. Meanwhile, a set of the correct gaskets showed up on my doorstep. Yesterday, I got an email from NAPA saying they cancelled my new order because the gaskets are out of stock and they are not sure they will get more. When I checked with about 5 NAPA stores in this area, none had them in stock and, get this......they tried to sell me Fel-Pro gaskets! Told me they are selling out the Victor Reinz line and replacing with Fel-Pro. Could be a problem finding these recommended gaskets in the near future.

15,000 miles; I'm envious. Only 5,000 on mine and we built at around the same time. Must be the difference of Florida vs. Michigan.

Chuck

Tony Aprile · #4 (**permalink**) 03-21-2007, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cwmcobra

Do you have any advice on how to avoid dumping coolant into the block valley when removing the manifold? I've obviously drained the radiator and quite a bit of coolant escaped from the water pump while the engine was tipped at different angles during removal. I'd like to keep the coolant out of the valley and the oil if possible.

Chuck
I have replaced mine several times over the past 4 years and as long as the radiator is drained and water level is lower then the thermostat housing you should be ok, Remove the T-stat housing first before removing the manifold and soak up as much the remaining coolant with paper towels or wet dry vac, there shouldn't be much.

Tony

cwmcobra · #5 (**permalink**) 03-21-2007, 07:57 AM

I have already removed the thermostat and housing and have done my best with paper towels to remove coolant. Sounds like I'm good to go.

I appreciate the advice.

Chuck

barabar · #6 (**permalink**) 03-21-2007, 10:36 AM

Sounds like a common problem. But I have to ask---Are you mating aluminum to iron? or aluminum to aluminum? And are both surfaces machined?