Thread: FE Intake Oil Leak -- End Gaskets or Not?

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Here's my take on the "no end gasket" suggestion from Edelbrock. From their point of view they may very well be correct because I'd bet that most of their aluminum manifolds get put on "milled head" engines that have poor fitting manifolds due to the heads.

As Kurt stated, you only get one chance to set it on straight without knocking a gasket or sealer off. The "trick" is to use two people and have some "hand holds". The vise grips in the center of the top lip by the valve cover rail make for a good handle balance point. Leave the hose clamps off the bypass hose to give yourself a little more wiggle room.

In my youth (note, many years ago, LOL) I would crawl into a Ford truck engine compartment, feet on the frame rails, and grab the cast iron manifold sitting on the inner fender and stab it on the engine. Everyone was busting their butt to earn a living on flat rate in the 1960's. I also did one head R&R's without pulling the intake manifold. Aww, the days of warranty flat rate.

so i just got done installing a new engine in my truck its a fe 390 with the performer intake. my intake is warp just enough that it doesnt sit on the heads evenly... i used the gaskets that the machine shop gave me and i think it was engine pro.. they are thicker gaskets than the fel-pro... i put that copper rtv in the corners where the haynes manual says to and let the rtv set up like the tube said to. i had a slight problem with one side on the front and back gasket trying to slide into the valley area while setting my intake. by the time i was able to get the gaskets to settle where they needed to be while i set my intake on there they were staying.. i had to use my seal picks very carefully as to not rip them though.. in the past i have used the blue rtv in place of the cork gaskets and it did a good job of sealing the are but i was graceful applying more than enough to make sure it sealed. yes it looks a lil tacky for a "show car" but it gets the job done... ive done the rtv and cork set up and never had luck with it sealing completley either. although im proud to say without using fel-pro gaskets i have no leaks.. they seemed to always not be thick enough. if you would like i could get the companies name that the machine shop used for gaskets.... btw anyone know the rated horsepwer and torque at the flywheel for the 70 models of 390's with a 4 barrel?