Do you use silicone on intake gaskets?

The only place RTV silicone may be required is to seal the area where the ends of the intake manifold gaskets mate with the end strip seals on the block under the intake manifold or valley cover. If the intake manifold gasket does not make a tight seal around the coolant ports, it may leak coolant into the crankcase.

What should I know about intake manifold gaskets?

Intake Manifold Gaskets Most Fel-Pro ® Performance intake manifold gaskets are designed without a metal core, to allow engine builders to trim the gasket for exact fit on modified ports. The base gasket material resists coolant, gasoline, alcohol and oil.

Where is the head gasket on a V-8 engine?

The head gasket is found between the engine block and the cylinder head or heads in a V-type engine. The gasket functions as a seal that prevents the combustion process from leaking into the coolant passages that surround each cylinder. In many cases, it seals oil passages from coolant passages so the fluids do not mix.

What to do if coolant leak from intake manifold?

To make sure your intake gasket replacement doesn’t come back with a coolant leak in the near or long term… there’s another very important consideration to keep in mind and it’s that you need to torque the intake manifold bolts with a torque wrench.

What should I remove to install a head gasket?

Remove the parts that are connected to the cylinder head. Refer to your car’s service manual for specifics, but in most cases this involves removing the exhaust manifold, the intake manifold, valve cover and drive belts. On many engines, you will need to remove the timing belt or timing chain.

How to change intake manifold gaskets on small block Chevy V8?

Place a new intake manifold gasket on one of the heads. Make sure it is on the right side by matching the holes and all the water port openings with those in the head. When you have determined how they are to be installed by matching them to the head, lay them aside so they don’t get mixed up.

What to use to clean intake manifold gaskets?

Do the same for the bottom of the intake manifold. After all the gasket material is removed, spray the entire mating surface on the heads and intake with brake cleaner and wipe off with a clean cloth. This is to remove all grease and oil.

What should I do if my intake manifold is failing?

If you suspect that your intake manifold gasket or gaskets may be having an issue, have the vehicle inspected by a professional technician from YourMechanic to determine if the gasket should be replaced. The most popular service booked by readers of this article is Vehicle Engine Mechanical Inspection.

Can a small block intake manifold cause an oil leak?

A Chevy small-block intake manifold gasket seals the intake runners and the water ports, and also seals in the oil located in the lifter galleys. A leak in the intake manifold gasket can cause undesirable results such as an oil leak on the front or rear of the engine,…