I have an 87 IROC, am replacing the intake manifold gaskets as they leaked from their replacement 5 years ago. What Permatex product would you guys recommend, I have Ultra Black, Ultra Blue and Hylomar HPF (supposed to be a gasket dressing rather than sealant but is it save for oxygen sensors?). Which would work best? Do you recommend locktite for the fasteners?? Thanks!

I've always used spray copper around the intake ports and blue RTV around the coolant ports. Ditch the cork manifold to block gaskets and lay a thick bead of ultra black or gray around there. Run it about 1/4" up the head surface too, below the intake gaskets.

From the factory, GM uses no sealant or dressing on the intake manifold gaskets. They do however use a gray RTV for the intake to block seal.

For the fasteners, I believe the center two bolts on each side go into the lifter valley, and therefore are prone to leaking. I use some teflon paste on those bolts that will see oil, and on the others I just use some copper anti-sieze made by Winzer. You can use permatex stuff too, I just hate the mess it makes. You always end up with some on your face, your hair, your clothes, and you don't even know how it got there!

Be sure to follow the factory torque sequence for the intake manifold bolts, and you shouldn't have any leaks. Good luck.

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-Jason M. 1991 Camaro Z28
"Shampoo is better, I go on first and clean the hair."

The best gasket sealer I've come across lately is made by permatex as well. It's called "The Right Stuff", and it comes in a can that resembles the cans you get processed cheese spread in. It's a little more expensive than the sealer that you buy in tubes, but there's no comparison. I used to use ultra blue until I worked in a garage and my boss introduced me to this stuff. I haven't had it fail me on anything I've sealed it with yet. In fact, I just replaced a water pump yesterday that I used ultra blue on the gaskets a few years ago, and the gaskets were leaking. Like I said, this other sealer is a little more expensive, but it's worth it's weight in gold! They have it on the shelf at Checker auto parts, and probably most other popular parts stores.

for intake gaskets i'd use fel pros with k&w copper sealer in a spray can and permatex ultracopper silicone for where the ends meet up with the china walls.

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-=ICON MOTORSPORTS=-
1st & 3rd

Permatex GREY is the same as GM's factory non-leaking intake sealer. It's all I will use!

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84 Camaro ZZ4 with HOT cam. 1.88 60' (12.98 @ 105MPH E.T.)
Other Mods: You name it and I have probably changed it.

91 Firebird 5.0L TBI

ASE Certified CHEVY DEALER Auto Tech
LIVE AND DIE BY THE ALMIGHTY BOWTIE!

Thanks for all the help guys! Does anyone have a problem with me using UltraBlack to coat the intake manifold (where the gasket goes and the ends) and then lightly coat the Felpro gaskets on each side??? I started to clean the aluminum intake manifold and found that tiny black little specs were actually porosity that in some cases were very deep. This is the exact area that the car was leaking coolant. That is why I want to use the UltraBlack to coat the manifold itself in addition to the gasket.
Also I am planning on Locktiting the fasteners (242). Does this sound ok?

Tom (CT)

Loctite? I wouldnt do that... use teflon paste.
As for the manifold... I know I am gonna get it for this one, but either JB weld or epoxy putty is the way to go, unless you really have a wild hair up your ___ and wanna get it welded. Sealer will work for a while, until it seeps and corrodes more. Hylomar is ok, but leaks too. Only thing it does that I like is it makes gaskets easy to reuse, and it will seal through most oil residues.

Thanks Madmax, good advice! I just came from the machine shop and they said exactly the same things, althought they didn't know exactly what epoxy product to use on the porosity. I picked away at it some more yesterday and its pretty bad. My fear would be thought that the epoxy would come loose just as the ultra black might over time. The shop said coating the coolant ports with Ultra black only, and then using the Felpro gaskets dry would seal for a bit, but that epoxy would be a good idea if I wanted longer service. Right now my engine has 175K on it so if I got another 50K or year or two out of it I would be very happy. Do you think the Black would last me that long? I really dont want to get into the epoxy as I really feel it might come loose quicker than the black.

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'87 IROC, 305TPI, 5Sp, , 170K miles, all original except for K&N filter, Vin F

If you want that many miles, I would use epoxy putty or JB weld(an epoxy itself). Permatex/loctite makes some stuff in a tube that works really well, but make sure to use good gloves, because it smells terrible. I wouldnt worry too much about it cracking or breaking off, the manifold technically isnt a moving part. I have used both before, and didnt have any problems from it.

Thanks again Madmax, I have successfully applied the JB weld and now am ready for reassembly. Do you find that the JB weld is somewhat "cakey" when you are applying it?? Also one last question, would you coat both sides of the gasket with Ultra Black for consistancy (rather than just using Ultra Black on the still mildly porous areas)??