best way to install gaskets?

04sleeper said:

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.

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deadlast said:

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

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04sleeper said:

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.

Click to expand...

Mustang5L5 said:

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.

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