what i've done is taking a small punch and making little divets near where the egr tube comes in since extreme heat seems to cause the rtv to deteriorate with the divets helps hold the rtv in place...most people dont do this cause u dont really need to but just thought i would throw it out there...i also use ultra copper gasket which has worked awesome so far on 3 lt1's that i've done....good luck

 

I have some insight on this..... When doing my intake manifold I used the copper stuff... from a tube more than 3 years old and it wouldn't set for days. I would assume that all of these products "expire" over time, so you may have experienced the same. I used the copper RTV on my intake a second time from a new tube and the stuff was touchable within minutes! I called permatex up and mentioned that there were no expiery dates on their products but they basically said, "doh that sucks nothing i can do..."

My copper RTV has been holding up great with zero leaks for about 6 months now.

Anyhoo, moral of the story: Use a new tube of RTV, not one thats been lying around the garage for a few years

Tip 1: Practice placing the intake on down a few times before applying the bead.
Tip 2: Use 2 cut down pencils on two bolt holes to help line up the intake on its way down.

 

.[/QUOTE]
QUOTE:Tip 2: Use 2 cut down pencils on two bolt holes to help line up the intake on its way down.[/QUOTE]
I think I would use some cut-off bolts rather than the pencils..
I used pencils, unfortunately WOOD pencils. let me tell you it doesn't take much force from that intake in ANY direction but DOWN to break your pencils up inside the bolt holes in the block.
Talk about pizzing me off.
Easily remedied with a shop vac though.
Just my experience.
Tal