Repairing an Edelbrock Performer intake
 

I just bought a performer intake from the swap meet last weekend for $60 but it has bad corrosion in the front coolant passage. The parts of the passage that seal against the intake gaskets are corroded badly. Im pretty sure it would still seal, but i dont know how good. My question is, can I use JBWeld to fill in the pits or will it not stand up to high temps. Since my coolant rarely gets to even 190* now, I wouldnt think the JBWeld would get much hotter, but I am not sure.

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1983 Firebird
TH700R4 Auto
Small Block 400
LG4 ECM, Intake, Carb, Distributor, etc.
Soon to be non-computer.
Clarion Head Unit 45X4
2 Pioneer 400W 12" Subs
Third Gen Performance
"A four cylinder is half an engine."
"Ponies can run, but birds can fly..."

Anyone? Could I possibly get it welded at a machine shop?

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1983 Firebird
TH700R4 Auto
Small Block 400
LG4 ECM, Intake, Carb, Distributor, etc.
Soon to be non-computer.
Clarion Head Unit 45X4
2 Pioneer 400W 12" Subs
Third Gen Performance
"A four cylinder is half an engine."
"Ponies can run, but birds can fly..."

You could use JBweld and sand it down but it probably isnt worth the time or money.
You might want to just use a small amount of silicone and rub it on the gaskets evenly.
This will seal it.
Good Luck!
SSC https://www.thirdgen.org/messgboard/smile.gif

I dont know if silicone will seal it good though. The front coolant ports on the faces of the intake arent shaped right anymore. They are supposed to be rectangle shaped, but these are corroded around the edges so they're actually bigger than the port on each head. Also, the water neck mounting face is corroded. I was wondering if I cuold use JBweld sort of like bondo on bodywork and then use my dremel tool to grind the ports to shape and snad the water neck face flat.

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1983 Firebird
TH700R4 Auto
Small Block 400
LG4 ECM, Intake, Carb, Distributor, etc.
Soon to be non-computer.
Clarion Head Unit 45X4
2 Pioneer 400W 12" Subs
Third Gen Performance
"A four cylinder is half an engine."
"Ponies can run, but birds can fly..."

I'd say try to sell the intake and buy a new one. New performer intakes only run about $100 at Auto Zone.

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'86 IROC 5-speed
305 LG4
edelbrock performer rpm intake
edelbrock 600 cfm carb
msd pro billet hei distributer
'95 3.23 rearend
hotchkis rear suspension
PST front polygraphite suspension
"speed kills. buy a f@&d, live forever."

Use a set of Mr Gasket #100-series intake gaskets on it. They are REAL beefy and should seal up with liberal amounts of silicone sealer.

BTW- the coolant passage is where ALL intakes go bad first.

JB Weld works real good for that. Just make sure its clean... real clean.

Years ago,I had an intake repaired,as the boss for the coolant temp sensor was cracked.
The guy Heliarc welded it and re-tapped the threads.Anyway the heat from welding warped the closest passenger side so badly, it wouldn't seal until I used the .100" thick gaskets (intended for mucho milled heads) from MR.Gasket.After I used them I didn't
have any leaks.Should be able to get them from any speed shop or mail order site.

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1992 RS,5 Speed,T-Tops,Eibach Springs(cut), KYB's, Lakewood Trailing Arms and Adjustable Panhard Bar,Posi Disc Rear,3.73 Gears,Summit Rearend Support Cover,
Del-A-Lum Bushings,300 HP Crate Motor,Crane Comp-U-Cam,Edelbrock TBI Intake, Turbo City Ported Throttle Body and Adjustable Fuel Pressure Regulator,Open Element
Air Cleaner, Ground Control Strut Tower Brace and Caster/Camber Adjusters,SLP 1-5/8" Headers,Flowmaster 3" American Thunder Exhaust,3" Cat,Centerforce Dual
Friction Clutch,Hayes Billet Flywheel,B&M Power Steering Cooler,Big Thumpin' Stereo.

These gaskets are very good for badly corroded surfaces. I would highly suggest that you clean the manifold off with a wire grinder brush and apply silicone. I bet you wont have any problems.
SSC https://www.thirdgen.org/messgboard/smile.gif