Ok, sorry if this is a stupid question. My RPM-airgap intake is going in this weekend. Ive got all the parts lined up, however, contrary to what the pictures suggest, the part # 7201 for intake manifold gasket SET, only consists of 3 peices. The two intake manifold side gaskets, and the distributor O-ring. No water neck gasket (as i thought they supplied), no front and rear end peices which i ALSO thought they supplied.

So im gonna just use RTV sealant. But i have no idea which one to use. I went to the store, and they have about 6 types.
-Oil resistant
-Gas resistant
-Hi-temp

All colour co-ordinated. Does it really matter which one i use? What did you guys use for installing aluminum manifolds, in terms of gaskets?

They suggest to use the edelbrock gaskets for better sealing between iron and aluminum, so i did, but obviously they dont provide all the gaskets.

Thanks for any input.

 

i use either ultra copper or ultra gray in that order for everything, but for a intake any would work and most people go with the cheapest.

 

"Right Stuff" works the best out of any sealant I have used. Try that. It's expensive, but it won't leak.

 

Blue, or black or red have worked for me. So all 3 of your types listed. I think Blue is cheapest.
Weird it didn't come with end seals, I prefer to use those rubber ones. Oh well, use RTV around your water ports, and a good thick layer to replace the end seals. Wait for it to set up, then drop on the intake and put in the bolts finger tight. Go have a beer, then come back and TORQUE IT UP, 35ft/lbs or whatever.
Make sure the RTV has completely cured before you add coolant.

 

I went to a Permatex seminar once, and they recomend High-temp RTV Black for intake sealing. Thats all I've ever used and never had a leak yet.

 

Use any of the ultra series silicones. It used to be (and may still be) that the standard silicones (clear, white, black, and household stuff) used a solvent that is part of the drying process and it will eat into the aluminum. I use black since the blocks were black... what color is the block? Match it.

 

Sonix, i know you have one of the RPM series manifolds. Did your set come with end seals? and did you order it from edelbrock?

By the sounds of it, all of you guys have used all the sealants, and all of them work. hmm... i figured the oil resistant would work best since thats what it will be in contact with the most, and coolant. Maybe ill use copper around the water ports.

what do you think of me using the regular cork type end seals on the aluminum?

 

My intake manifold didn't come with gaskets.
I bought either the felpro ones for a '77 Chev 350 (or whatever year I felt like saying), or the set that comes in a summit / Mr Gasket chevy gasket set ($30 from summit)
Those have always come with 2 different sets of rubber end seals, I use the kind that has the little "stick feet" that go into the china walls in the block. I RTV those in place, and RTV the gasket in place. Once it's dry and not going to move, I use a bit on the top side, just around the water ports, and set the intake on and put in the bolts. Loose. Once it's dry I tighten it up.

I didn't know such a thing existed as cork end seals. I'd use pure RTV in that case.

Like Ede mentioned up top, the intake manifold is a pretty easy thing to seal.

 

sense first time i used Permatex Ultra copper instead of the the rubber or cork valley gaskets i have never used anything else other than it or ultra gray. i have never had any problems with leaks.
now you can't pay me to use the gaskets to seal the valleys.
if you have a O2 sensor, be certain to use something that is O2 sensor safe.

 

i always use black RTV on both ends and all four corners and works awesome done it to billions of engines works great,e ven late 90s engines

dont use the crappy rubber end gaskets on the gen 1 SB's


good luck

 

I use blue, but recently have started switching to black. The blue stinks haha and burns my eyes, but the black is all smooth sailing.

 

I agree 100% with this suggestion. All the "ultra" series rtvs are old technology. "Right Stuff" is the best sealer I've ever used, bar none. It's about $13 for a can, but it's worth every penny. It comes in a pressurized can with a dispensing nozzle at the top, which makes it real easy to use also. The "ultra" sealers are too runny and thin, whereas "right stuff" is the perfect consistency. I've sealed oil pans, water pumps, and intakes with it and never had a leak. On your intake, just lay down a bead about 1/4 inch tall across the front and rear, making sure to glob it up kinda thick at the corners, and it should seal up great.

 

Concerning the end gaskets, the instruction sheet included with my Performer clearly warns against using any gaskets on the ends. Red, Blue, Black RTV - your choice.

 

Not to sound rude, but you answered somebodies question from 10 years ago.

 

thank god. i can finally install my intake. A few times i thought about reposting and asking for an update but i decided to be patient and just wait it out.

Thank you so much.





P.S.
(JK)