Intake gasket question.

[Cncguy1]

Wanting to install an aluminum Edelbrock intake. Do I need to use paper gaskets in addition to valley pan, or valley pan alone?

 

[themechanic]

This is one of the most frequently asked questions. Try searching FBBO using google for better results.

I installed a Performer RPM on cast iron heads without the paper gaskets and without leaks. Others have had different results.

 

[lewtot184]

adding both paper gaskets to each side increases the installed width by .060" on each side. the proper thing to do is mill the intake to compensate for the additional width. if that's not an option then i'd recommend not using the papers.

 

[brian6pac]

Do not mill the intake, I have always put on the valley pan metal to head spray with copper coat first, then spray the paper gasket and put in between the intake and the valley pan. Never had a problem, no leaks, with a six pack you can look straight down the intake port and the runners line up perfect.

 

[727]

Get some Honda bond or Yamabond case sealer at your local bike shop. Apply a thin layer to both sides of the valley pan. No paper gaskets needed.

 

[66Satellite47]

You can probably use just the K & W Copper Coat with a stock valley pan. Or use the Fel Pro 90175 six pak gaskets with Copper Coat or the Permatex red spray gasket sealer. Or the Fel Pro gaskets on both sides of the tray with bearing grease on both sides.

 

[brian6pac]

Get some Honda bond or Yamabond case sealer at your local bike shop. Apply a thin layer to both sides of the valley pan. No paper gaskets needed.

They are all made by 3bond, Ducati bond 1215 is what you want if you are going that route, Honda & Yamabond both have a short set time, 3bond 1215 will give you a 20-30 min working time,

 

[threewood]

I used both paper gaskets sandwiching the valley pan. Aluminum Stealth heads and Aluminum Holley intake. I had zero issue with bolt installation. This was recommended by 440Source so I complied.

 

[PurpleBeeper]

lewtot is right on this one. I bought those paper gaskets when I got my 6-pack because "the book said 6-packs use them". On my milled heads, milled block & milled intake (yep, all 3) there wasn't enough room for them to fit.

Now, if your head's intake mating surface (or intake) is milled appropriately, then they seem like a good idea to me. I think paper conforms to imperfections in the mating surfaces much better than a metal gasket.

 

[beanhead]

Unfortunately this is one of those areas where you will get conflicting advice...not wrong advice, but what works for one person doesn't always work for another in this case. The above posts all have correct info but you will most likely have to pick the method that fits your engine best and try it. All I can say is do good dry mock-ups, in different configurations before you seal it and torque it...check around your ports best you can with your smallest feeler gauge and go with the best fit/alignment

 

[66Satellite47]

adding both paper gaskets to each side increases the installed width by .060" on each side. the proper thing to do is mill the intake to compensate for the additional width. if that's not an option then i'd recommend not using the papers.

Just my observation, my Fel Pro Six Pak gaskets are .035 un-compressed. I have had some that are much thinner. Don't have numbers for the thinner version. They were .015 I'd guess.

 

[beanhead]

Just my observation, my Fel Pro Six Pak gaskets are .035 un-compressed. I have had some that are much thinner. Don't have numbers for the thinner version. They were .015 I'd guess.

...to add to this, the superperformance guy has 3 sizes...If I remember they had .015, .030 and .060 so you could use whichever size works best for you

 

[not so famous bob]

...to add to this, the superperformance guy has 3 sizes...If I remember they had .015, .030 and .060 so you could use whichever size works best for you

if u have victor heads, you`ll need a valley pan and gaskets. I like hughs engines intake gaskets myself. regular heads, probly the tin valley pan w/ the paper thin gaskets, or sealer.

 

[66Satellite47]

if u have victor heads, you`ll need a valley pan and gaskets. I like hughs engines intake gaskets myself. regular heads, probly the tin valley pan w/ the paper thin gaskets, or sealer.

Good point, make sure you have the correct valley cover for the heads you are using. I tried a 440 Source valley plate with my EDE RPM heads, leaked like a SOB no matter how I used the silicone. Went back to a stock valley pan no leaks.