I’m going to change my lower intake manifold gaskets soon. I just have a few questions, what kind of sealant should I buy? What are the metal tabs, and where do they go? They come with the gasket set. Anybody know where I can find a tightening sequence diagram? And what are the torque specs for the bolts. Thanks, this will be my first time doing this job. Any help is appreciated.

 

Ultra grey RTV
You won't use the metal inserts.
Tighten center -> out.
Torque specs aren't necessary. Use common sense.

Biggest issue is usually pitting on the intake around the coolant ports. Bead blast it, fill the pits with epoxy, and block sand it or TIG up the pits and mill it flat.

GD

 

Awesome, thanks! What causes the pitting? Antifreeze?

 

Yeah - poorly maintained coolant. It attacks the aluminum as a sacrificial anode when the zinc in the coolant is depleted.

GD

 

Well hopefully mine isn’t too bad. I was reading, some guys use Jb Weld on the pits, then sand smooth. Does that work pretty well?

 

JB Weld is epoxy... So there's that...

 

Haha! Sorry not too familiar with JB Weld. Never had to use it before. But I guess my question is answered. Thanks for all the input. Will be working on it the next few weeks. Sucks, because I had literally just taken everything off to put in new injectors.