I had a shop install a new intake gasket a year and a half ago (fel-pro high performance) and it is leaking from the front passenger side corner. Looks like it’s the main gasket on the side and also the ridge in the front.

After a new install is it common practice to re torque the bolts after it has been run for a time? If not could I cause damage by re torquing to see if there still at speck?

I did a search but want to hear it from some of you.

(The guy at the shop said it was not necessary but he is a lame jerk)

 

Nothing to lose by tightening them; just don't go past about 30 ft-lbs.

 

My bolts have the same head as these and they did not use washers.
Is that a problem ?Also do I use the same torque sequence as what is in my Chilton manual ?

 

Nope, those are fine.

The exact torque sequence isn't critical; mostly, you just want to tighten the 4 center ones together first as a group, then the outer ones in pairs. Although, since the Chilton's sequence is just that, it's fine. Tighten them to the low end of the spec (like, 25 ft-lbs); go over them a couple of times like that, until they quit needing more; then step up to the full 30-ish ft-lbs, repeating repeatedly until no further tightening can be applied. DON'T over-torque them.

 

Thanks sofakingdom

 

The mechanic that installed your manifold gaskets probably either used the rubber end gaskets or didn't run a thick enough bead of RTV on the front and back "china walls". If your heads have been milled down quite a bit, this can cause leaks in those spots too. I'm running AFR 190's on my motor with a Super Ram intake, and I had the heads milled all the way down from 68 cc chambers to about 62 cc's. I ended up with a leak in about the same spot as yours. I ended up buying another set of manifold gaskets that were the same port size, but were .120 thick instead of .060. The first gaskets were Fel-Pro 1256's, and the thicker ones I replaced them with were the Fel-Pro 1245's. If you've milled your heads a lot, give the 1245's a try, or if the guy used the rubber end gaskets, get rid of those and run a 1/4 inch thick bead or Permatex "Right Stuff" on the front and back ridges. Make sure to use plenty of RTV on the 4 corners where the side gaskets meet up with the end walls. Btw, the 1256 gasket and the 1245 gasket both have about the same port size as the common, all blue colored Fel-Pro 1204 intake gaskets. Oh yeah, also a good idea to use Loctite 567, high-temp thread sealer on all 12 intake manifold bolts.