Hello,
I would like to know of you people that have used vortec heads and intakes what gaskets do you use? Do you use GM's or do you use FelPro? I am about to use a set of vortec heads on a camaro project of mine and I am not sure what ones to use. The reason I ask is I own a 1998 Chevy truck with a 350 vortec and I have had the intake resealed twice and is leaking again. It is kind of iritating as it only has 61,000 miles on it and I have to reseal it again. I think I will do it this time myself as I have not had any luck with using dealerships. If you guy's have any pointers on using vortec heads let me know I would much appreciate it.
Thanks Dennis

 

I am using GM (I believe thats what came with my set from SDPC). Dont know if Felpro's are the same, but these are nice. They use the hole to keep them perfectly in place while you set the intake on. The Vortec design is made for low pressure sealing, meaning you dont have to torque the bolts down tight. The gaskets look to me like they seal really well, havent had mine running long enough to tell tho for sure, but I'm sure the design is good or they woudlnt be using it on such a new engine.

If they are leaking like that, especially after two times from a dealership, I'd be inclined to think there is something wrong with your intake or something, such as warping. Dont see any reason why they'd leak to begin with, especially after having a dealership do the work.

 

I used the felpro ones for a 96 vortec truck... They have a nice frame with rubber sealing rings around everything.. They also have the locating pins to keep it in place while you set the manifold down... So far so good but it hasn't been running long yet...

 

That must be how they all are (I would think theyd all be the same anyways). Mine also have the frame with the rubber rings. I say go with whatever is cheaper, personally. They should both work just fine.

 

Fel-pro makes good gaskets. Get whichever is cheaper. Either way you'll be fine. I have heard the intake manifolds on vortec trucks just need 11 ft/lbs of torque...seems low but who knows.

 

i seem to remember hearing that the stock vortec intake manifolds were prone to cracking. i'm not positive that that's true, but i do know that it happened to my aunt's tahoe. if you are still having problems are replacing the gaskets twice, maybe that's something you might want to have checked.

just a thought.

 

Yep, 11 ft/lb is right.

 

thats 11 inch pounds!!!

 

ummmm... no.. 11 inch pounds is less than 1 foot pound... that wouldn't even crush the damn rtv end seal! lol

Its 11 ft/lbs...

 

my instructions say 11 inch pounds lol

 

Your instructions must be wrong because mine say 15 Nm (11 lb ft). Better tighten them up a bit, haha. I could put the bolts in finger tight at 11 inch pounds.

 

must be wrong you must be right. just going by instructions on my vortec tpi base. i wont argue.

 

Ah, not trying to argue here, just sayin you might wanna check into that. I'd hate to see your intake fall off.

 

Maybe because they're plastic?

Every once in a while (more often lately) GM gets an idea to try something without REALLY testing it. Look at all the 3100 V6 engine in Monte Carlos, Grand Prixs, Grand Ams, etc.

They used a 2 pc aluminum intake manifold that called for 118 inch pounds of torque. Now everyone's intake manifolds are starting to leak into the oil valley.

I wonder why

 

scoggin dickey must be wrong ???????? you must be Rite?????????? they only mafde my intake

 

the only difference i've seen between gm gaskets and the felpro's.. is the gm rubber is blue, the felpro rubber is red.

you need too torque them from the center out, in at least two steps. step one to 5 lbft of torque, then step to to 11 lb ft of torque. you also need to lay a heavy black RTV bead on the end of the block.

If they are over torqued by a significant amount say to 20lb feet... they will have a vacuum leak around the ports after a lil bit, or start leaking coolant.

either way if you doin't change the coolant be it standard green or the long life orange. it will eat up the rubber gasket.

 

It is 11 ft lbs. 11in lbs is like the force one uses to stick thier finger in there nose. lol.

Actually there is known manifold gasket failures. Non related to our use. Connector failures (Quick connectors) Dex cool doesent like plastic parts. Injector O-rings rotting out and washing bearings is next in line but its like I wonder what the gas smell is, wonder if its the reason I'm only getting 8 MPG.

 

I'll put in a plug for the GM's since I have installed one set on three differant intakes. With no leaks after over two years on the last install.

 

Hey you guys, now that I think about it all three times my intake gaskets have failed it has been during the winter. Do you think that the extreme between heating and cooling this time of year is to much for the intake gaskets to handle? Are you guys running in cold climates? I am in northern Minnesota and it has been between 30 to 40 below zero this last week. I guess I am just not understanding why I only got 9 months and 10,000 miles out of my last repair from a GM dealer. I am going to do it myself this time but I am just looking for answers. I am still a GM man but it is disgusting that's all.
Thanks Dennis

 

where is it failing??

 

It leaks antifreeze out on the corners. Always in the back and twice in the front.

 

It might be the cold winters that you have there? I am in Georgia so it stays like spring time compared to your weather. There should be an answer since I'm sure there are plenty of those heads running around in colder areas.