The Oldsmobile Connection

[blonzz]

I will be installing a Torker on a BBO with Performer RPM aluminum heads.

Is Mr Gasket # 404 the best gasket set to use? I've heard the stock bathtub gasket does not work with aluminum intakes.

Just use RTV blue around water ports and what is recommended on the rest of the gasket surface? I've used brown permatex in the past with iron heads.

I have read that some discard the end rail gaskets and just use a bead of RTV Black. Some recommend dimpling the block with a center punch about every inch so the silicon will have something to bite on.

I have installed a few BBO intakes in my life and always used the front and rear rail gaskets along with some silicon and never had a problem with leaks.

Suggestions on sealer and what others do appreciated.

Thanks,
John

[Turbocharged400sbc]

Mr Gasket/Felpro I have used both and both are good the only thing to look for is that they match the port sizes on the heads and the intake. ask the edelbrock rep as I believe they have lists of gaskets that fit without modifying or for mild/wild porting mods.
as for sealants, when i need RTV and it isnt high temp (permatex copper!) I use Permatex's "The Right Stuff" I get it in a caulk gun tube at Farm & Fleet, but most parts stores have the cheese wizz cans- it's expensive but it will stick through oil/coolant and I have been using it a a professional mechanic for over 5 yrs now and I love it (still got an old black RTV tube somewhere...I think!) if you have cleaned the surfaces well with fast evaporating brake cleaner-this stuff is tenacious! do a 1/4 inch bead on the front and rear and you wont have to worry about oil leaks! i usually run the rtv on the head side of the intake gasket at the end beads and put a thin skin around the coolant ports (too thick and it will squease into the port and restrict flow/break off and clogg radiator tubes-not good) (I dont usually put sealer around the intake ports as a good gasket will seal fine but iff your worried i have used Permatexes "Brush tack" that you brush on and it stays flexible/and will stick the gasket in place where it wont slip down/out of alignment.)
then I just put a thin skin of right stuff arount the coolant passages of the intake (so a thin skin is on both sides of the intake gasket-head and intake) and put her straight down on the engine carefully so you dont move anything around or destroy the end seal beads- you can dimple the block if you want but if it's nice and clean the "right stuff" wont have a problem sticking! (it will stay on your fingers for a day or two!)
hope i could help!
Schlim

[blonzz]

Just unboxed my Oldsmobile Torker 2730 and found a Torker AMC 2930 inside! :o



The box was marked Oldsmobile Torker 2730. Well back to Summit it goes. And I ordered it red label. I was just going to send it out to have it powder coated in the original packaging.

I will call them later this morning. To bad it's a holiday Monday. I'm sure they will send it overnight before the wrong part arrives back and pay for return shipping as well. They better I have spent a fortune with them over the last few months.

John

[88 Coupe]

Hi Blonzz, hello all
I finally got out to verify which gaskets I've been using for the last 20 years. Quote: Is Mr Gasket # 404 the best gasket set to use? I've heard the stock bathtub gasket does not work with aluminum intakes.
You can not do better than Mr Gasket #404 for your application. They are all I've used in my BBOs since the early eighties. Make sure that sheet metal piece is still down there covering your lifters, and throw the turkey tray away. Quote: Just use RTV blue around water ports and what is recommended on the rest of the gasket surface? RTV blue is used as insurance against water leaks, and no other sealer is needed.
Quote: I have read that some discard the end rail gaskets and just use a bead of RTV Black. Some recommend dimpling the block with a center punch about every inch so the silicon will have something to bite on. I have installed a few BBO intakes in my life and always used the front and rear rail gaskets along with some silicon and never had a problem with leaks. Heads milled? Intakemillled? block decked? If none of these dimensions have been changed, you should have no problem with the neoprene end gaskets as long as you put liberal amounts of RTV in the 4 corners that meet the manifold gaskets.
Either way will work and is an individual choice.
Dimpling in this manner is a feelgood move at best.
I wonder if you are experiencing your first problem with an end gasket leak at the present time.
Right Stuff is probably the best RTV you can get at this time.
Regards, Norm

[OldsGuy]

I vote for Right Stuff as well. Great stuff. I use the end seals from the box and haven't experienced any leaks yet. Alignment is improtant and harder to acheive correctly when the engine is in the car, especially on the back.

By the way, nice looking intake.