Replacing Intake Manifold Gasket

[rc1626]

As stated this job will be started soon. There is a slow leak at the back of the intake where it joins with the block. Just a few questions.

What am I looking at here in terms of removing from the intake? I'm looking to keep as much attached as possible.

I got the Fel-pro gasket set. They give you the two rubber end seal gaskets. Do I use or not? Can I use RTV across the ends of the block to mate the intake? I've done this before in SBC applications with much success but don't know if it will apply to a Turbo Regal.

Coolant ports? Do I smear a little RTV around them or not? Again, I've done this before with success but just want to know what you guys think with this particular application.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!
Rob

 

[Russ Merritt]

Is it Fel-Pro # 96033? That's the one I like to use. You have to use the end seals. They fit real good. The whole thing comes off, injectors, T-body/plenum, vaccum lines all together. The fuel lines, throttle cables, coil pack and coolant lines have to come off. Not a hard job. Good luck!

 

[skturbo]

Rob;
Do not use the rubber end seals! RTV just like you have been doing it. Thin layer around water jackets.

Steve K.

 

[rc1626]

Thanks for the replies so far. What about draining the coolant? Do I need to drain the block? I don't want any coolant getting down into the engine when I lift the intake off????? Thanks!!
Rob

 

[Russ Merritt]

You don't have to drain the block, but no matter what you do you'll probably loose a little coolant as you pull it off. Don't sweat it too much, just have some paper towels handy to quickly soak up whatever you spill.



Sk, what problems have you had with the end seals? They fit like a glove, and have never ever leaked on my engines.

 

[rob nolan]

Rob,
Put the end seals on they work perfect. After you put those on put a dab of RTV on each corner of the end seals and around the water jackets.

Good Luck!!!
Rob

 

[Jimn8or]

I used Permatex Coppertack on the MS96033 gasket where it comes between the head and intake, a dab of The Right Stuff in each corner, put the gasket and end seals in/on a dab of the same in each corner again and have zero leaks or problems.
Just my .02
Jim

 

[rc1626]

Thanks guys!!!
Anyone know torque specs on intake to head bolts. I read somewhere 32ft/lbs. Any feedback would be great.
Rob

 

[Russ Merritt]

45 ft/lbs

 

[rc1626]

Thanks to all who gave input. I'm actually going to try the gasket replacement without using the end seals. I'm sure they would work fine it's just that I've done it the way of RTV sealant quite a few times with much success. If for some reason I have a leak......I'll do it again with the end seals of course.
Thanks again all!!!
Rob

 

[PaulRV6]

I've always used the rubber end seals, the ones in the FelPro kit fit perfect and work.

paul

 

[703crewchief]

I like the end seals too. Not enough RTV = bad seal. Too much = blobs of silicone floating around getting in the oil pick-up.

 

[rc1626]

Well, all done!!!! I ran the car for about 15-20 min. and no sign of leaks yet (coolant or oil). Yippee!!!! The true test will be once I clean the back of the motor and trans. bell housing and starter. Oh yea, and I'll have to drive it a little too. Weather has been so bad here this winter that the car hasn't been out since November. Thanks again all!!!
Rob

 

[d0n_3d]

did you say you had a slow leak in your intake manifold gasket? was it noticeable from the outside or did you happen to be pulling a code 44 and sensed a vacuum leak and found it internal? because i keep getting a code 44 at idle and my computer is causing my injectors to dump fuel into the motor like crazy because it senses more air than is being metered...i was told that i might have a bad intake manifold gasket...i am going to change it soon and see if this cures my problem...i was just wondering if you were having similar problems?

 

[rc1626]

Yeah, slow leak at the back of the motor where the intake meets the block. I wasn't pulling any codes, I just noticed oil dripping down the back of the block and tranny bell housing onto the starter. It was very slow but I'm extremely anal about having a clean car even under the hood..........especially one with 26k original miles on it. I changed the rear main seal and valve cover gaskets at the end of last summer and finished up with the intake this week. Hopefully no more leaks for a while. Have you done a power plate or removed the dog house for any reason recently? Check your vacuum hoses. Use some carb cleaner and spray around your upper intake, if the engine surges you've found your leak. Good luck!
Rob

 

[BJM]

rc1626

How long did it take you to change the gaskets? Did you have to take manu pieces off of the intake to get it free?

I think I have the exact same problem. I changed the front seal and go rid of a leak there, I changed the oil pump adapter o-ring and fixed another leak there, I changed the oil pan gasket and think I fixed yet another leak.

I found oil coming down the block onto the starter and dripping onto the crossover. Is this what happened to you?

I too was thinking of using the RTV instead of the end seals. I used to RTV my SBC ends instead of using the rubber things. Even the factory went that way eventually. So far so good I hope?

 

[PaulRV6]

I had an oil leak in the back of the motor, it was dripping on the starter motor heat shield and on to the crossover. I could not find out where it was coming from until I pulled the motor. I could clearly see it was running out both corners of the end seals and running down between the split on head to block. At first I thought the head gaskets were leaking the oil but realized that was not possible.
BJM, this sounds like you have a leak at the back of the manifold seal.

paul

 

[BJM]

I sure hope this is the source of the leak. The engine in running out of gaskets to be replaced! I wouldn't bother me so much except for the smell which reminds me of an outboard motor. Somehow a leak on the ground seems better. I have been chasing leaks for a year now.

 

[blackbuick87]

Originally posted by d0n_3d
did you say you had a slow leak in your intake manifold gasket? was it noticeable from the outside or did you happen to be pulling a code 44 and sensed a vacuum leak and found it internal? because i keep getting a code 44 at idle and my computer is causing my injectors to dump fuel into the motor like crazy because it senses more air than is being metered...i was told that i might have a bad intake manifold gasket...i am going to change it soon and see if this cures my problem...i was just wondering if you were having similar problems?

Don I would think a gasket leak would make the car run lean not rich. Dont want to see you waste your time

 

[BJM]

When you take off the manifold, I assume I need to remove the EGR valve, does that require another gasket? I got a little rectangular brown gasket with my intake manifold gasket but it doesn't say what it is.