351C Valley Pan under intake

[69 Rustang]

Every time I have removed and installed the intake on one of my 351Clevelands I have used the valley pan set. Well, I am at that crossroad again. This time, I have 2 intake gasket sets that do not include the valley pan.

What do you guys do--valley pan or NO valley pan?

I have considered trimming the old valley pan back to serve as a simple heat shield--leave a small tab at the center of the intake on each side and small tabs on the front and back. Use the new gaskets to seal it up. Any thoughts on that?

 

[180 Out]

That's what many people do. It does keep heat off the intake. Many people don't use one at all.

 

[351carlo]

I haven't used one with my aluminum intakes in a LONG time. No problems that I'm aware of.

 

[D.Hearne]

It's really only needed if you're running the exhaust cross over open thru the intake. The pan keeps the oil from cooking on the hotter (than oil) exhaust passage.

 

[commonrail]

I don't use it with aluminum intakes. Does keep oil from baking at/near the heat riser passage though, and by its design it will keep heat away from the intake runners a little. No affect there with air-gap manifolds!