[rjhmustang]

I am working on a 390 FE that is in my 63 Thunderbird. My first FE. The car sat for 14 out of the last 15 years and has plenty of leaks.

One of the worst oil leaks was the OE iron 4bbl intake so I pulled it and installed a used aluminum intake that I have.

My first attempt helped but still leaked so I pulled it and made an second attempt and it still leaks. I checked the mating surfaces and they all look good. I used Great Stuff sealer on the China rails and stock gaskets plus Great Stuff on the head to intake were it appears to be leaking.

I went to a couple of our local auto part stores looking for a thicker intake gasket.

They could not find one. Both stores had no idea what a 390 FE even was!

Does anyone know if there is a thicker gasket available?

 

[johnsongrass1]

Air leaks or oil leaks?

 

[rjhmustang]

Oil leaks and the windshield wiper motor runs off the power steering leaks.

 

[gregaba]

When installing an FE intake you have to loosely install all the bolt's, install the distributor, center the intake by tapping it front and rear to align the intake. Check that the dist can by pulled and reinstalled with no problem, then tighten all the intake bolt's.
On the sealer go to your Ford dealer part's and ask for part number TA-31. It is a sealer made for their diesel engine's and works great on an FE.
It's not cheap at $31.00 a tube but works every time.
This all depends on you having a straight clean surface.
Greg

 

[rjhmustang]

thank you for the advise

 

[BogiesAnnex1]

If the iron intake it is mighty hard to put that monster down exactly and any subsequent adjustment to line up the bolt holes is likely to move the China wall gaskets out of place. One reason why in modern times oil resistant RTV from Permatex is used instead of a gasket.

Bogie

 

[rjhmustang]

I am installing an aluminum manifold and the engine is still in the car. Not so much fun. I am using a Permatex RTV. Next time I pull the intake I will clean off all gasket and sealer then dry fit the intake then check if any clearance. I think my issue is the intake gaskets.

 

[BogiesAnnex1]

The corners where the intake gasket and the China wall gasket are always a problem for everybody’s engine using this design. This is always a place to put a dollop of RTV on cleaned surfaces.

Bogie