those intake gaskets are about the worst to use. in about a year take the intake off and you will find them leaking
I disagree, but it is irrelevant, any gasket installed wrong will leak - Up until I pulled the vette motor to be installed in the Elco I was in my 6th year of those exact same gaskets, there is nothing wrong with them in my opinion. However opinions are like...well you know.
For example if you were to aqsk my opinion I would tell you to not waste your money on Mr. Gasket gaskets because they are crap, but then others will come along and say they are the bees-knees - doesnt matter.
For intake gaskets here is how I install them to ensure long leak free life.
- wipe down all gasket surfaces with brake cleaner or paint ppre spray (prepsol)
- apply a VERY thin application of silicone around water jacket ports ONLY - just a skin of rtv around these ports
- apply gaske-cinch (edelbrock or permatex) to head surfaces around ports and bolt holts - just a thin covering, be careful not to get any n the ports - try not to get any in places where the gasket doesnt cover - it looks tacky when dried on bare metal
- let gaske-cinch get tacky to touch
- apply intake gasket to head - press down on gasket to ensure its held in place by the glue - apply pressure around water jacket ports to ensure full spread of rtv
- repeat on other side
- apply large enough bead of silicone on front and back rails - 1/4" is usually enough
- apply very thin layer of rtv around water jacket ports - little more than a skin of rtv
- install manifold before RTV on front and back rails skin - you want the rtv to adhere to both surfaces, block and intake
- tighten/torque bolts per manual
- any rtv that pooches out front and rear should be wiped off
- inspect with flashlight the front and rear rails to ensure full sealing. (engine on stand of course)
I've installed intake gaskets like this since the late 70's and have NEVER had an intake gasket fail.
I dont care which gasket you use, in the end if installed properly they should all work. do not go overboard on RTV around the water jacket ports, or end rails either if you can help it. nice thing about the engine on the stand is you can inspect the seal of the end rails after the manifold is installed.
If you want a really clean install of RTV, in your case with the black engine, use black RTV - apply blue painters tape to the leading edge of the manifold, when you wipe off the excess rtv it will get on the tape and not your new manifold then just peel the painters tape off.
