Help with Vortec intake gaskets
05-21-2006, 08:23 PM
#1
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Car: 2004 Wrangler Rubicon
Engine: 4.0
Transmission: NV3550
Axle/Gears: Dana 44s with 4.10 and air lockers
Help with Vortec intake gaskets
I just built a Vortec headed 350 and put it in my Trans Am, fired it up yesterday. Ran for about 3 minutes and had to shut it down because it was leaking coolant BADLY, both internally and externally. When I put the intake on I used the stock GM gaskets, and didn't use any sealer on the ports because they have the rubber o-rings built in. Apparently this was a bad idea.
Pulled the intake, cleaned it all up, applied RTV to the gasket around the coolant ports. Let it sit over night. Fired it up, and got about five minutes before coolant started dribbling down the front of the block. Apparently this doesn't work either.
What am I doing wrong? Neither method seems to want to seal my coolant passages. I don't want to keep putting the intake on just to have coolant leak into my oil again. I get the feeling the bearings and cam don't like it very much. Would switching to a Felpro gasket and gluing it to the heads and intake work better?
Pulled the intake, cleaned it all up, applied RTV to the gasket around the coolant ports. Let it sit over night. Fired it up, and got about five minutes before coolant started dribbling down the front of the block. Apparently this doesn't work either.
What am I doing wrong? Neither method seems to want to seal my coolant passages. I don't want to keep putting the intake on just to have coolant leak into my oil again. I get the feeling the bearings and cam don't like it very much. Would switching to a Felpro gasket and gluing it to the heads and intake work better?
05-21-2006, 08:30 PM
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Car: '92 RS
Engine: 350 carb'd
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: 4.10
Ive worked on alot of Vortec motors and you dont need sealer around the ports. Thats why they have the o-ring type seal. Inspect the gaskets for cuts in the seals. How tight are you torking the intake bolts.
05-21-2006, 08:35 PM
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Car: 2004 Wrangler Rubicon
Engine: 4.0
Transmission: NV3550
Axle/Gears: Dana 44s with 4.10 and air lockers
I'm only using a 3/8 wrench on them. But I'm wondering if they may have been overtightened.
05-21-2006, 08:40 PM
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Car: 1986 Iroc
Engine: 454 Demon 850DP
Transmission: TH350, 3500 stall
Axle/Gears: 3.73
You may be over tightening the intake bolts. They are a very low torque 11ft lbs.
05-21-2006, 08:40 PM
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Car: 2004 Wrangler Rubicon
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Yeah, they're definitely tighter than that. But would tightening them to about 30 cause the oil to look like a milkshake after literally 2 minutes of run time?
05-21-2006, 08:54 PM
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Car: 1992 Firebird
Engine: forged 357
Transmission: 700r4, 2200-2400 stall, vette servo
Axle/Gears: stock pegleg 2.73 drum (temp)
Originally Posted by ChevyGuy87
Yeah, they're definitely tighter than that. But would tightening them to about 30 cause the oil to look like a milkshake after literally 2 minutes of run time?
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