My '83 LG4 305 in a Camaro.
Can the intake manifold be installed with RTV as opposed to a gasket? (not talking about the "china wall seals" but the main gaskets on either head)

I was thinking so, because I've seen pro builders do it before when I was racing. The only problem was that I recall they were using specialty high-rise manifolds that had no coolant passages or exhaust crossovers (actually had a valley cover and seperate intake that was just the runners...)

anyway, I'm thinking now that it's a bad idea to install a factory aluminum intake with just RTV on my stock block and heads. If I did, would it lead to coolant leaks or other trouble?

If this is ok to do, let me know too!

thanks
Clem

 

I dont think its a good idea. If you took your time and did it nice and neat it would probably not leak for some time but I think eventually it will.

 

NO !!!

 

NO!!! after awhile the fuel will eat away at the RTV and cause it to leak that's why you only put RTV on the "china walls" and around the water passages. you'll eventally contamanite you'r oil and have massave vacume leaks.

 

Actually a lot of people do that around my area. I have done it before too & it has held up fine, NO vacuum leaks.

Most engine builders here DONT like those rubber seals they give you at all and they DONT use them.

To each his own, i prefer the RTV on the ends.