Inlet manifold installation guide?

mrroverrover · Post by **mrroverrover** » Wed Feb 15, 17 8:23 pm

Hi all. I'm ready with my rebuilt 360 to fit the performer inlet and holley street avenger 670, can someone pleeeeease point me to a guide on exactly how to fit the inlet? What sealant to use and how (if any?) I've got fel pro gaskets to use and don't want to mess up sealing it!
I've googled but so many different opinions, I know you lot are experienced pros so what do I get and do?????

MilesnMiles · Post by **MilesnMiles** » Wed Feb 15, 17 10:31 pm

Ok,opinions vary but..most say don't use the cork gaskets at either end and use RTV sealant instead. Requires a thick bead at either end. Personally being pedantic, I shave down the cork gaskets and still use them.
Either way, a big blob of RTV where the cylinder head corners meets the engine block is an absolute necessity.
As for the gaskets on the heads along the intake ports, should be plastic inserts to hold those in place.

Bolting the inlet down means starting in the middle and working out bolt wise.
Torque em down half spec and then go middle out to full spec for a good seal.

mrroverrover · Post by **mrroverrover** » Wed Feb 15, 17 10:55 pm

MilesnMiles wrote:Ok,opinions vary but..most say don't use the cork gaskets at either end and use RTV sealant instead. Requires a thick bead at either end. Personally being pedantic, I shave down the cork gaskets and still use them.
Either way, a big blob of RTV where the cylinder head corners meets the engine block is an absolute necessity.
As for the gaskets on the heads along the intake ports, should be plastic inserts to hold those in place.

Bolting the inlet down means starting in the middle and working out bolt wise.
Torque em down half spec and then go middle out to full spec for a good seal.

Cool. So what colour rtv, red or black? And should I put it on both sides of inlet gaskets that I've read some places?

MilesnMiles · Post by **MilesnMiles** » Thu Feb 16, 17 8:41 am

Black, but don't need it on the long gaskets that go over the inlet ports. Some use a smidge of blue gasket sealant. I don't.
Main concern is at either end of the manifold as oil can come out if the seal is incorrect.
The cork gaskets tend to push the manifold up too high so many use a thick line of black RTV as I described previously.

Blue · Post by **Blue** » Thu Feb 16, 17 11:00 am

Another thing on small blocks, make sure you remove the dowels on the front and rear rails, sometimes they will bottom out on an aftermarket intake causing a leak. I use RTV front and rear as well, I mask off the intake and engine edges, tighten up the intake, wipe off the excess sealer and un mask, very neat job. Would normally leave overnight to set before starting the engine.

MilesnMiles · Post by **MilesnMiles** » Thu Feb 16, 17 1:55 pm

Yes, my dowels Wouldn't budge and I ended up drilling a small recess in each ends of the inlet manifold as it was aluminium and easy to,do.

mrroverrover · Post by **mrroverrover** » Thu Feb 16, 17 4:00 pm

Blue wrote:Another thing on small blocks, make sure you remove the dowels on the front and rear rails, sometimes they will bottom out on an aftermarket intake causing a leak. I use RTV front and rear as well, I mask off the intake and engine edges, tighten up the intake, wipe off the excess sealer and un mask, very neat job. Would normally leave overnight to set before starting the engine.

Good tip on the masking. Dowels already removed as it had a performer inlet on already, I'm just swapping for a nice black one ;-)

Cheers people, black RTV on order