Intake reinstall?
 

Putting intake back on block. Was very clean when removed on block side & didn’t seem to have any sealing product on it & required minor cleanup & inspection for flat so I’m not planning on sealer on block side of gasket. Intake side definitely had stickum sealer on it. Cleaned scraped intake made sure nice & flat. Question is should I use sealer on intake side of gasket again? I normally wouldn’t on other overhead valve engines I’ve worked on so don’t think so but as it had on to start & my first adventure inside a Flathead thought I’d bounce it off a more knowledgeable source, :) u guys.

Re: Intake reinstall?
 

New gasket? No sealer necessary.
Old gasket? Please say no...

Re: Intake reinstall?
 

Yes new gasket, I’d never reuse a old gasket on anything!

Re: Intake reinstall?
 

Thx Kube!

Re: Intake reinstall?
 

Re: Intake reinstall?
 

I put the inlet manifold gasket on with grease

Re: Intake reinstall?
 

Thx, done deal. Did dry. Surfaces were clean & flat. Will fire up tomorrow.

Re: Intake reinstall?
 

I've used Head gaskets over many times, ahd yes gread in the intake gaskets, If you don't over torque, there usually reusablle. But if you have allot of money new ones are better.

Re: Intake reinstall?
 

Goood reply as usual Ol’ Ron,:D

Re: Intake reinstall?
 

What is the purpose of the grease?

Re: Intake reinstall?
 

I use it so things come apart easier, clean up is easier and the gasket can be reused if necessary....Mark

Re: Intake reinstall?
 

Grease allows surfaces to slide over each other as components are torqued up. Seals any microscopic voids/ imperfections. Any grease that exudes into either the valley or intake runners is assimilated into the engine with no harmful effects. Also, prevents the gasket from sticking to any surfaces, allowing easy subsequent removal, and indeed, as Ol Ron says, you can even reuse the same gasket after applying another layer of grease.

Re: Intake reinstall?
 

I have been testing various manifold/carburetor combinations on my test stand. I have been careful, and the gasket has survived about a dozen changes with no damage or leaks. I don't recommend this for new build, but at today's prices, it was the right thing to do. If Ron can re-use a head gasket, I sure feel confidant re-using an intake gasket. I guess it's not a cardinal sin. Sometimes "ya gotta do what ya gotta do".

Re: Intake reinstall?
 

....and I totally agree with both of you, and Ol' Ron.

I had a '35, 21 stud block built in 2002 by an engine rebuilder in Southeastern Pa. Basically he did all the necessary machine work, and I put everything together. He recommended using HiTac sealer on all gaskets, so that's what I did. What a huge mistake that was when I had to tear that engine apart after only 2000 miles for an internal problem that needed to be corrected. Every single gasket was totally bonded to it's mating surfaces, and it took me untold hours to get all of that crap off every component that was bolted to the block.
After posting about the mess I had here on the Barn, several members who really knew what they were doing when assembling these Flatheads, suggested I just use grease on all gaskets and their mating surfaces, and that's exactly what I've been doing for the last 16 years. Never had to spend time again, removing old gasket material stuck to any components that required gaskets for sealing.

Re: Intake reinstall?
 

Indeed, where I work in a printing company, we have big gearboxes that have removable covers for access/maintenance. these covers [up to roughly 12 foot x 10 foot] are assembled back into place using only a smear of grease on mating surfaces; no gasket whatsoever, the grease alone provides an oil proof seal. Admittedly, the retaining bolts [m8- about 5/16"] that hold covers in place are spaced 3" apart around the entire periphery, but the grease IS the gasket.

Re: Intake reinstall?
 

I've used a smear of grease on most all except head gaskets since I was a snotty-nosed teenager. I DO use pucky on the two rubbery end gaskets on little Chevy intake manifolds. I've been known to re-use a pan gasket or two depending on how they look. On non-Ford engines, especially those with solid lifters that you tend to check frequently, I learned to seal gaskets to the valve covers ONLY and re-use for many R&R cycles. DD

Re: Intake reinstall?
 

DD
That is what was taught in High School shop class in 1959. Seal gaskets only to the removable part. It does make life easier.


Bruce

Re: Intake reinstall?
 

On an intake gasket I don't, just because I might remove the intake more often and reuse the gasket (which a little grease might help with). But heads and waterpumps I do spray with a tac spray.


Depending on what engine I also have cut a small V in the intake gasket to make sure the vacuum to the dizzy doesn't close up totally. Granted you can dremel the intake for a little more clearance.

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