[Madmax305]

I am putting on a new set of vortec intake gaskets due to an intake vacuum leak. I know to use RTV on the china wall area, do I need to put RTV anywhere else on the head or gasket. I will be using this gasket.


Fel-Pro Q1255 - Fel-Pro Performance Intake Manifold Gasket Sets - Overview - SummitRacing.com

[engineczar]

Out of habit I always run a thin bead around all four water jackets. I can't say I've ever had one leak but at this point you can't teach an old dog new tricks. I also put a dab on the threads of the bolts to keep the oil from wiking up them.

[malc]

Originally Posted by engineczar

Out of habit I always run a thin bead around all four water jackets.

X2
Too much and the gasket will "walk" as you tighten the bolts.
One time I overdid the RTV.

[cullencombs]

I put a very light coat of RTV on both sides around all water jackets. I also use gasket-cinch on the head side in between the intake ports and heat riser area to hold the gasket in place while torquing.

[yardman]

dont use the gaskits on the front and back use the rtv it works better

[boatbob2]

Hi,i take a small center punch,and put punch marks about every 1/4 inch,on the front and rear of SBC blocks,where the intake rubber gasket WOULD GO,but i dont use those gaskets,i put about 3/16 inch of RTV there..never had one leak...the punch marks hold the RTV good.

[cullencombs]

Originally Posted by boatbob2

Hi,i take a small center punch,and put punch marks about every 1/4 inch,on the front and rear of SBC blocks,where the intake rubber gasket WOULD GO,but i dont use those gaskets,i put about 3/16 inch of RTV there..never had one leak...the punch marks hold the RTV good.

i can see how those punch marks would add to the grip of the rtv.

[Silver Surfer]

The Vortec gaskets are different than the old school SBC intake gaskets. I would avoid using any RTV or stuff on the water jacket or around the ports as this will probably cause a leak or crack the gasket. The instructions for your gasket clearly state, "Installation to be done with a bead of silicone at the manifold ends."

[Custom10]

Do yourself a big favor and get the GM type of intake gasket for the vortec heads. They have the pins for locating the intake gaskets and are reuseable. Use RTV black as mentioned on the rails.

This kit has more parts than you need but rest assured a little extra $$$ is worth, I have removed my vortec intake 3 times and reused them without a problem along with the RTV thick bead on the rails

Fel-Pro QMS98000T - Fel-Pro Intake Manifold Gaskets - Overview - SummitRacing.com

No other beads of RTV are needed around water ports.

These work

2 more of my cents

[Madmax305]

I changed the intake gasket with the Fel-pro 1255, Used a little RTV around the water jackets. Problem solved. Thanks for all the replies.