I just replaced the heads on my 92 Chevy C1500 4.3 and in the process of reassembly, I found a gap between the intake manifold and the block. The gap is about the thickness of a nickel. Can I use “the right stuff” to plug the gap or is there something else I should do?
The heads bolted on with no problem and so did the intake manifold so I assume they are seated evenly. The replacement heads are from a salvage yard and had pressed in studs instead of screwed in studs, they also came with longer push rods but I kept the original shorter ones because I am assuming it was for a different cam or something. but otherwise they looked identical.
I noticed the gap after putting on new intake manifold gaskets and RTV… If I unbolt the intake manifold can I still use the same gaskets or do I have to buy a new pair?
Any thoughts appreciated. Thanks!
That part of the engine block is called the “China Wall” and there will be a gap of some sort more often than not.
Some gasket sets will include a gasket piece for the China Wall and some won’t. Either way, best practice is to discard the gasket (unless the gap is gigantic) and use RTV instead.
I would use The Right Stuff gray or black, Ultra Black, Ultra Gray, or similar oil resistant RTV’s.
You should also be able to reuse the intake manifold gaskets unless they are damaged.
Thank you! That is a relief to hear. Wish I had known before I torqued everything down, my felpro set didn’t include a gasket piece for it.
As far as reusing the intake gaskets, should i scrape the rtv off both sides and reapply it?
Yes scrape the old rtv off as much as you can
Thanks!