Helpin install an aluminum intake on a 350, using felpro gasket kit.

First time went so nice then almost all together I noticed the front rubber end gasket has rolled inside in the middle. Back on was fine. Thought maybe we didn't get it hooked over the block lip right. [front one has dowl pin even, back one don't] So after yanking it all apart again and a new gasket kit we made sure the seals were on the block right.

Soon as ya start the final torque the front rubber seal once again like rocked over instead of squshing down. Again back one with no dowl pin was just how it should be.

No use trying again till we know whats up.
Though it does look sealed still how long could it last?

Maybe scrub front of block down there n goop the crap out of that area so It can't suck air???

Pitch em in the garbage.

Just use the gaskets along the sides. I run a tiny bead of Black RTV around the water ports so they stay in place.

Then run a 1/4"-3/8" bead of the same across the front & rear ofthe block and a little dab wher the block/head/manifold meet. Let it set up for about 10 minutes.

Set the intake in. Apply thread sealer to intake bolts & tighten down. Check & retighten for the next half dozen heat cycles.

Shane

+1 What Shane said. Just about every engine builder out there and 75% of the backyarders throws the end seals away and uses RTV because of the very same prob your having. The darn seals won't stay still and in place.

Just run a bead of RTV along the rail on the block.. The bead needs to be about like what Shane said. 1/4" to 3/8" tall. Be sure to extend the bead of RTV over on to the corners of the intake gaskets.. The little part that sticks down and somewhat touchs the block's end seal rail.

The the RTV sit for about 10 min before you put the intake on. Hold intake by the carb plate and dist. hole or water neck. Hold it over the engine and down close to where it goes. With your eye try to hold it in aline with the bolt holes, then sit it down in place.. Start a bolt in each corner. That will make sure the side gaskets dont slip down on you.

Then run all the other bolts down by hand. Then tighten up the bolts working in a criss cross pattern. Start in the middle.. You have 2 middle bolts per side. Say driver rear middle on, then Pass front middle one, Driver rear corner, Pass. front coner, driver front middle, pass rear middle... Keep going back and forth like that till all is tight..

You want 15-20 ft lbs torque on the bolts. Its hard to fit a torque wrench on them though

Heres a thread with pics of how I do it:
http://www.nastyz28.com/forum/showthread.php?t=69284&highlight=intake

Its hard to fit a torque wrench on them though

Thats why I always use my "calibrated" arm!

Thats why I always use my "calibrated" arm!
Same here Shane. I done so many on them I can get with in +/- 2 ft lbs of the spec. A buddy thought I was BS'ing hime so I proved it. He went back over there with a torque wrench and all of then was 18-22 ft lbs

My elbow is certified on an anual basis;)

Ya know I knew or know about that but some reason in the panic of what's wrong I didn't think of it. It always happens like that, I can't think clear in the panic.

Even worse was we done ruined 2 intake gasket kits for little reason.

Though this 2nd time with the dowl pin in the front the gasket didn't roll back or squish back as far. So its just gonna stay that way this time.

First time the dowl pin wasnt in and it squished out real far but the rear one never moved.

So why do they still sell them kits like that if they suck?

Why ain't anyone made felpro listen up and face facts.

I think the rubber ones would work fine if it wasn't a giant triangle, to easy for it to rock one side or other. Should be like near the ends were it just 3 lines of rubber, that way it wouldn't be able to rock or slide to one side. It ouwld get just good down pressure n no side.

But some reaons just the ends are like that , then the middle is one giant triangle.


I tihnk its time felpro step up to the plate and fixes that problem once n for all. That or there is a good market for a new gasket company to take their place.

The Napa intake gasket sets I buy (made by victor reinz).. In the package for for under $9 you get...
:2 intake side gaskets
:4 end seals (2 diff types, 1 set with dowls sticking down, and 1 set with tabs on the sides)
: 2 dist. to intake gaskets (big and small one)
: A small pack of alum. RTV
: A paper that says "in this kit is 3 styles of end seals. To use the RTV do not use the rubber ones, cut corner of package and squeeze out a bead along block rails thats about 1/8" x 1/8".

That shows atleast some gasket companys are listening to what the customers are saying.

Ditto on the RTV and...

If they are the hard BLUE Fel-Pro intake gaskets then throw them in the trash too.
I have never got those to seal on an aluminun intake, Edelbrock now even says not to use them.

The Mr.Gasket black one that are soft by comparison and have the raised silicone sealing beads around the ports is the way to go. I'm sure Fel-Pro has a part # that's the same type of gasket. That is if you have a good parts store that will grab them off the shelf for you.

/////// When guys say NAPA this, Napa that, I just cringe. ////////////

I have no reason to go into a NAPA around here. Most of their counter people are know-it-all abusive, drunkin wife beaters with half their teeth. They are more than happy to sell you whatever just to get you to go away. Take care>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Ken

I work in a small shop that also has a NAPA store and used car lot. A few months ago they got rid of victor reinz(Dana Corp) and started stocking Felpro gaskets. I was told Dana corp was going out of business or bankrupt, something along those lines. With the crap rear ends they were supplying Mopar I can believe it.

/////// When guys say NAPA this, Napa that, I just cringe. ////////////

I have no reason to go into a NAPA around here. Most of their counter people are know-it-all abusive, drunkin wife beaters with half their teeth. They are more than happy to sell you whatever just to get you to go away. Take care>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Ken

Our parts people are not quite that bad. Now the company called NAPA, I think they suck.