Vortec intake gasket.... help

[Guest]

I'm in the process of installing JSDesigns sheetmetal intake manifold. Due to the numerous machine runs to get the angle of the dangle correct, double intake gaskets must be used for correct runner alignment. Last attempt, I used FelPro 1268's, siliconed together. They did not compress enough and I ended up with an internal water leak.

I'm asking for assistance in a brand name and part number for a raised runner gasket (Vortec) around .060 thick, and one that compresses well. Jeff has made me up some "steel plates" as inserts between gaskets that should assist with my problem.

I spoke with FelPro tech. line about my problem, and they were of no help. Lot's of peeps recommend Mr Gasket for doubling up, but they don't make a set for the 4.3. Anyone who has used what I'm looking for, please share your info.. TIA,

 

[4C FED]

Howz about Victor Reinz gaskets?
That's what NAPA sells I believe.
I took a set off of mine (old stock heads) and they looked cushier than the FelPro's.
Sorry, no PN for ya though.

HTH,

 

[MikeRenz]

now that you know what angle is needed...wouldn't it just be safer to redo the bottom of the intake? Kinda seems a shame to have a nice custom intake and have to run double gaskets.

 

[MikeRenz]

btw...the 1268 is the thicker vortec gasket you can find. But others have mentioned water leaks w/ them...and most stick to using the 1203 (which is way thinner)

I think turbotony cut his own gaskets...seems like this would be the way to go for you.

 

[JSM]

I just got off the phone with Roland. He managed to somehow in the midst of changing to his new email, lock him self out of the board. Old folks disease is getting to him.

The angle is not off enough you can neccessarly measure. The machine shop has already machined it to match, but as that happens the ports slide downward to where they don't line up. Hence he is looking for a somewhat thicker gasket to keep ports lined up correctly.

He did get the O-Ring style gaskets, but as I found out for this application they don't work well.

He may go for the Mr. Gasket intake gasket sheet, and cut his own. He is making some calls.

 

[MikeRenz]

why not add a small lip to the bottom of the intake...or even to the heads, to keep the intake from sliding down?

 

[JSM]

That wouldn't work.

This is a hard thing to explain to someone that hasn't done this yet.

Roland and I were laughing on the phone over it, and how it sounds so simple.

O well, Roland will get it.

 

[Roland Black]

Well, I couldn't get my old profile straightened out, so I started a new one. Gosh, my firstest post.

After numerous phone calls, I decided to get the Mr. Gasket make 'em yourself sheets of gasket material. I would have liked to see the FelPro 1203's, but there are none local and it would take 10 more days to get 'em. So...... I'm doing it myself.

Thanks for the suggestions mentioned above, but the double gasket with Jeff's metal plates in the middle are the simplest method to making the situation usable. The sheetmetal has been milled so many times for the correct head angle (twice wrong), that it's too narrow. The gaskets and plates will make up the difference, allow correct port alingment along with bolt hole alignment. Aluminium plates "could" be made and welded to the bottom of the intake, but the heat from the welding would warp the unit again, and it would have to go back to the machine shop to be milled flat again. As Jeff and I have lotsa hours in this already, I'm going cheap and easy.