any tips before redoing intake gasket? I polan on replacing the gasket an was curiousd if anybody had any helpful tips on this job . has been leaking oil at back for a while. thank you ahead of time Allen

 

Use ALOT of RTV.

 

Be sure to clean all gasket surfaces thoroughly and when you lay the gaskets down put a nice thick bead of RTV along the front and rear going about a half inch up the intake gasket on each side.

 

+1 on the RTV.. Use the GM "Black RTV or the Permatex "Ultra Black"

 

yeah... the black stuff is the shiznit..... It actually holds a little too much... it's kinda hard to get things off after they have been black rtv'ed

 

Clean surfaces is essential in a gasket repair. Also, when putting the rail back in, I would lube up the fuel injector o-rings a little bit to prevent tearing them upon reassembly.

 

Unless you plan on letting the car sit for at least 24 hours use the permatex RIGHT STUFF gasket maker its a bit pricey but it sets up in about a min where as ive seen the ultra black used and the intake came back off a bout 36 hours later and the rtv on the inside of the bead was still wet

 

I have the right stuff RTV, can I use this INSTEAD of the gaskets, or use both.

 

Use the gaskets and RTV.

 

deffinatly use both if you dont want a leak....just use alot of rtv....its cheap insurance for your motor and your driveway. and make sure you torque the bolts down in sequence...this seats the gaskets and the intake equally and helps prevent leaks. If you dont already have a chilton car care manual you should head to your local autoparts store for one. They give you all the torque specs for everything and can save you alot of aggrivation.

 

I'd leave the fuel rail in place if you have no reason to remove it, one less thing to go wrong.

Also, i didn't use any gaskets for the front and rear rails, i don't think they even make them. A nice thick bead of RTV will do the trick.

 

CLEAN CLEAN CLEAN!!!! Make sure you do NOT get anything in the lifter valley. CLEAN CLEAN CLEAN. This is very important! Also follow with an oil change.

 

+1 here, also let it dry a good day or two. When my engine was on the stand I had to pull the intake one day after setting it to check something and it was still gooey. Dont over do it with the RTV. a 3/16 bead will work.

It is easy to get carried away with the RTV especially on the rear which has less surface area anyway. You want to avoid squeeze out that will make it into the inside of the motor.

You can also cut the heads off a pair of bolts and use those as positioning studs to ensure you set it on the straight.

 

Another vote for The Right Stuff. A nice bead of it on the front and back, make sure you overlap onto the head gaskets. And, indeed, don't overdue it - you don't want all that stuff inside you engine. This stuff sets up fast and cures fast. Drive it the next day.

 

+1 more on the right stuff-I haven't used it long enough to say long term but I have always been impressed with it's performance when I do use it.
Despite all the recomendations for ultra copper for the intake off the web I decided to go with the right stuff and haven't had any trouble.
Tal