best way to install gaskets?

[deadlast]

when im installing my lower intake manifold, should i put a bead of gasket maker on the gasket itself, on the intake, or at all?

 

[Mustang5L5]

When i do lower intakes, i put a bead of thin silicone around all the water jackets on the heads on both sides of the intake gaskets to really seal them up.

I also used the cork gaskets, but i run a thick bead of silicone on them. Some guys eliminate the cork front and rear gaskets and run a thick bead of silicone there.

To lower the intaske do yourself a favor and go to a hardware store and buy some long 6" or so bolts or threaded studs the same size as the intake bolt threads. You only need two. Cut the heads off the bolt and lightly thread them into the block at the front and rear. Then use them as a guide to lowering the intake down into the engine.

 

[04sleeper]

The best way I have found is to clean every surface to bare metal and spray it clean with brake cleaner.

Then I just use some Blue Permatex to just fill in the imperfections in the metal with my finger around the water ports only. This is for the head surface and the intake surface as well. You do not need a lot of silicone at all, just enough to fill in the imperfections like I said.

I also put a few dabs of silicone in between a few ports to help hold the gasket in place.

For the front and rear of the intake I do not use a gasket. I use a large bead of silicone and set the intake down and let it dry overnight.

I have used this method for many years with no problems.

 

[deadlast]

The best way I have found is to clean every surface to bare metal and spray it clean with brake cleaner.

Then I just use some Blue Permatex to just fill in the imperfections in the metal with my finger around the water ports only. This is for the head surface and the intake surface as well. You do not need a lot of silicone at all, just enough to fill in the imperfections like I said.

I also put a few dabs of silicone in between a few ports to help hold the gasket in place.

For the front and rear of the intake I do not use a gasket. I use a large bead of silicone and set the intake down and let it dry overnight.

I have used this method for many years with no problems.

what type of silicone do you use for the front and rear?

 

[R2D2]

black rtv around water jackets, and black rtv for the end seals

 

[Blk91stang]

The best way I have found is to clean every surface to bare metal and spray it clean with brake cleaner.

Then I just use some Blue Permatex to just fill in the imperfections in the metal with my finger around the water ports only. This is for the head surface and the intake surface as well. You do not need a lot of silicone at all, just enough to fill in the imperfections like I said.

I also put a few dabs of silicone in between a few ports to help hold the gasket in place.

For the front and rear of the intake I do not use a gasket. I use a large bead of silicone and set the intake down and let it dry overnight.

I have used this method for many years with no problems.

GREAT INFO!!!!

I just heard about using some silicone to first push into the metal before laying a bead on to fill in any imperfections and make sure to get good adhesion.

 

[04sleeper]

what type of silicone do you use for the front and rear?

I have always used RTV Blue or Black.

 

[QDRHRSE]

The best way I have found is to clean every surface to bare metal and spray it clean with brake cleaner.

Then I just use some Blue Permatex to just fill in the imperfections in the metal with my finger around the water ports only. This is for the head surface and the intake surface as well. You do not need a lot of silicone at all, just enough to fill in the imperfections like I said.

I also put a few dabs of silicone in between a few ports to help hold the gasket in place.

For the front and rear of the intake I do not use a gasket. I use a large bead of silicone and set the intake down and let it dry overnight.

I have used this method for many years with no problems.

.....same here. Except I don't let the intake sit over night. Almost any automotive silicone will work....I like blue and black but ultra grey is good too. Just look on the package and will tell you what the intended uses are.

 

[blue92lx]

When i do lower intakes, i put a bead of thin silicone around all the water jackets on the heads on both sides of the intake gaskets to really seal them up.

I also used the cork gaskets, but i run a thick bead of silicone on them. Some guys eliminate the cork front and rear gaskets and run a thick bead of silicone there.

To lower the intaske do yourself a favor and go to a hardware store and buy some long 6" or so bolts or threaded studs the same size as the intake bolt threads. You only need two. Cut the heads off the bolt and lightly thread them into the block at the front and rear. Then use them as a guide to lowering the intake down into the engine.

Yeah do yourself a favor and put that silicone around the water ports. The guys I took mine to didn't do that and water trailed out all the way to the intake ports. When I put my lower intake back on I also used an assload of RTV on the intake and block for the front and rear seals. Everyone usually says to just throw out the cork gaskets.

I also wish I knew about that bolt technique as guides to drop the intake down. It's a real pain in the ass to get it perfect just doing it by eye.

 

[TheUser]

you can get the intake gasket set w/ the rubber ends instead of cork ends: Fel Pro part number MS 93334, but whatever works, I suppose. The studs to align it really helps...I've been doing that for a couple years and it helps a ton.