Intake Manifold Installation

[ghjedi]

All,

I've decided to replace my old manifold with the Mopar performance dual plane for my 440 Challenger.  Do you have any installation tips or tricks for the intake manifold?  I've heard conflicting advice on the use of a silicon sealant, so I thought I'd check with the e-body experts.

[MEK-Dangerfield]

The silicon sealant(RTV) is just used on the front and back part of the valley pan gasket where the hold down rails are located. For the sides of the valley pan gasket where it meets the heads, I coat both sides of the gasket with Gaskasinch, then bolt on the manifold before it dries.

[ghjedi]

Thanks for the input.  I was planning to use Gascainch, so I appreciate your validation.  I sure don't want to do this job twice!

[HemiOrange70]

Also just start the bolts a little until they are all in. Sometimes the manifold bolts will not line up and it is frustrating as heck.You will need to lift the manifold up to start some bolts. Then once all bolts are in-tighten per specs to location and torque

[MEK-Dangerfield]

You do need to start with the inner bolts on the intake when you are tightening them down. Like the second bolt down on one side, and the 3rd bolt down on the other. Then reverse the process, with the outer bolts last. Keep in mind you are just tightening them some , but not really putting them to spec at first. Then when you are ready to tighten to spec, start the inner to outer tightening again. I hope this makes sense to you...Sometimes I'm not so clear.   

[ghjedi]

Thanks guys for the tips!  I will attempt this job this weekend and I'll update you on the outcome.

[ghjedi]

Update: I started this job and noticed a few things wrong right away with the prior setup.  First off, the bolts were fairly lose- I was able to remove them without much effort using a socket wrench.  I know they are supposed to be torqued down to specs, so I doubt the previous owner did that.

Also, there were no gaskets on either the top or bottom of the metal cover over the valley.  I'm no expert by far, but I do know that there should have been gaskets there. It starts to explain the oil in there and it looks like the previous owner slapped it together without doing the job right. 

I took a photo of it the metal cover just before I removed it and started the clean up.  My next step is installing the new intake- correctly!

[AMXguy]

Most of the time you can't get the fiber gaskets in there and get the bolts started. I think the rule of thumb is if they fit use them if they don't they don't. I've never been able to get them in.

[ghjedi]

Most of the time you can't get the fiber gaskets in there and get the bolts started. I think the rule of thumb is if they fit use them if they don't they don't. I've never been able to get them in.

But if the valley pan is installed without the top and bottom gaskets, won't that lead to possible oils leaks?

[Chryco Psycho]

I would use the either the felpro 1214 or 1215 intake gasket with the heat crossover port blocked off , I can usually get the one fiber gasket under the pan between the head & the pan & get the intake on , using both below & above the pan generally will not work

[MEK-Dangerfield]

I don't have any gaskets on my valley pan. If the mating surfaces between the intake and heads is true, you shouldn't need the gaskets when it's properly tightened down. That oil being there is NOT good.

[ghjedi]

Okay, I stand corrected on the use of both gaskets.  I'll try to use 1 between the block and the valley pan and with proper tightening, I'm hoping to elminate the oil leak that was there previously.

[ghjedi]

Okay, I stand corrected on the use of both gaskets.  I'll try to use 1 between the block and the valley pan and with proper tightening, I'm hoping to elminate the oil leak that was there previously.

Update: Manifold was installed yesterday without gaskets.  I tried it this am and once I got the carb primed and adjusted, it drove great.  Definitely a huge difference over my previous intake manifold and a HUGE THANK YOU for everyone's help and expert advice!

[Chryco Psycho]

 

[outlawse]

Any finished pics ... ?