Intake Installation

[geordie]

I've finally got my block painted and want to switch the intake to an Edelbrock RPM one.

Any tips or recommendations for intake installation, type of gasket, preferred supplier, use of RTV etc. would be appreciated.

 

[67coupestang]

get 4 bolts, to fit the block, longer the better. cut the heads off then carve a slot in the top for like a flat head screwdriver. install them loosely then use them to help drop the intake straight down. unless u get the cork ends with the sticky side to help hold them, just use rtv. remember the pattern and torque after running a bit. enjoy

 

[Pathfinder65]

Mustangsteve has a good write-up here:
http://www.mustangsteve.com/intake.html

Dave

 

[geordie]

That's a great article. Thanks.

Do the majority of you guys agree to throw away the short lengths of gasket material which which span the valley between the right and left cylinder heads at the front and back of the block and replace these with beads of RTV?

 

[69 302/351c]

I toss them on my 302, use them on my 351c.

 

[geordie]

Why the different methods for different blocks?

 

[65ShelbyClone]

The other option is to use silicone end gaskets. They straddle the block surfaces and dont slip. Put a dab of RTV in the corners where they meet the head and you're golden. If you use the regular cork and RTV, then its probably better to let the RTV get sticky before doing anything.

 

[geordie]

I have 351 heads on my 1974 302. Between the center two intake ports on the heads, on each bank, are what look like ports which could be connected to the exhaust. Are these some kind of exhaust balancing through the intake manifold? How important are these as the Edelbrock RPM Air Gap has no such corresponding ports. When I install it they will be blocked.

 

[06cobra]

The main reason to toss the cork pieces is they have a tendency of holding the intake UP. Which is not a good thing, has a tendency of not allowing the head / intake not to seat properly. Which for many is the reason for oil burning, vacuum leaks etc.

 

[06cobra]

I have 351 heads on my 1974 302. Between the center two intake ports on the heads, on each bank, are what look like ports which could be connected to the exhaust. Are these some kind of exhaust balancing through the intake manifold? How important are these as the Edelbrock RPM Air Gap has no such corresponding ports. When I install it they will be blocked.

Exhaust cross over port. designed to heat intake/fuel. It is not important.

 

[geordie]

Thanks to 06Cobra and all you guys as always.

 

[geordie]

In MustangSteve's write up, he is not very specific about the type of gasket sealant to be used between the gasket and the cylinder head.

Hylomar has been recommended to me for this. What do you guys think?

 

[geordie]

Need to move this thread back to the top in hopes of getting a reply. In addition what can I use to remove cured and partially cured RTV? Thanks.

 

[65ShelbyClone]

If the silicone isnt hard, wipe it off the best you can. When it gets hard, a sharp scraper works well. You can also get actual silicone remover, but its too nasty and slow to be worth messing with, IMO. I recommend blue RTV or high-temp red for the water ports. Do not get the Permatex with copper in it; it doesnt stick or seal as well.

 

[a.vannoy]

I have 351 heads on my 1974 302. Between the center two intake ports on the heads, on each bank, are what look like ports which could be connected to the exhaust. Are these some kind of exhaust balancing through the intake manifold? How important are these as the Edelbrock RPM Air Gap has no such corresponding ports. When I install it they will be blocked.

Are you using 351 cleveland heads on a 302? If you are you are going to need a cleveor intake similiar to the boss 302 but cheaper, otherwise you are going to have mismatched water jackets and the engine dumping the water into the block. You can find the cleveor intake on ebay just do a search for cleveor