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Best intake gaskets

23K views 14 replies 8 participants last post by  Overdriv 
#1 ·
Well i had a smoking issue with my chevy 350 which i have found out was the intake manifold gaskets. They were felpro gaskets and became oil soked and pulled oil in the intake stream. I ordered edelbrock gaskets but they did not come with the end gaskets so i used black rtv. Well the smoke issue is gone but now the back of the intake is leaking. What would be the best way to solve both problems. Thanks
 
#3 ·
No one uses those end gaskets. Gm doesn't even supply them anymore, they include a tube of RTV. You need a 1/4"-3/8" thick bead at the front/rear. Then let it set up 20-30min. before installing the Intake. Surface must be clean = NO oil before applying RTV. Also put a small/thin bead around water ports on side gaskets.
 
#4 ·
SSedan64 said:
No one uses those end gaskets. Gm doesn't even supply them anymore, they include a tube of RTV. You need a 1/4"-3/8" thick bead at the front/rear. Then let it set up 20-30min. before installing the Intake. Surface must be clean = NO oil before applying RTV. Also put a small/thin bead around water ports on side gaskets.
I do the same never had a problem... the only problem I'v had is using the gaskets and having the rear pop out....
 
#5 ·
Well i will reorder the intake gaskets. Now if i dont need the front and rear gaskets then what is the best way to use rtv and do it right. There are holes were the gaskets go should i just rtv around them or put some in them. This is my second time doing this and i dont want to do it again. Thanks
 
#7 ·
The best intake gaskets are the ones that match you intake ports on your heads. What does the head manufacturer recommend?

Has your block been decked, heads cut? This may affect how the intake gaskets fit.

FelPro makes different intake gaskets based upon intake port size. They also make thicker than stock intake gaskets.

What heads are you using, what intake, and what FelPro number gaskets failed?
 
#12 ·
Throw away the end gaskets. Clean the ends well with brake clean on a rag to get rid of all the oil. Lay down a 1/4 thick bead of black RTV, be sure to set the manifold straight down so you don't wipe the RTV off. Depending on what configuration intake you have, sometimes you can install a couple studs to help with initial alignment. I have done hundreds this way and they will not leak. No one who has done this for any length of time uses the end gaskets, they just don't work.
 
#13 ·
X2 Even the OEM's quit using the end seals- they use a material like "Right Stuff". FelPro ships their gaskets w/their black RTV- works great. Once you've done one right w/the RTV you'll never go back to those damnable end seals.

Does anyone besides me remember when there was no RTV? :D Then, it was pretty much Permatex #1, #2 or #3. ;)
 
#15 ·
cobalt327 said:
X2 Even the OEM's quit using the end seals- they use a material like "Right Stuff". FelPro ships their gaskets w/their black RTV- works great. Once you've done one right w/the RTV you'll never go back to those damnable end seals.

Does anyone besides me remember when there was no RTV? :D Then, it was pretty much Permatex #1, #2 or #3. ;)
Oh Yeah, don't forget Indian Head, which I still use today.
 
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