FYI - Edelbrock Intake Gasket Information

[NoNeck]

Just a little information that might save you folks running an Edelbrock Intake on your small block Chevy some headaches.

I imagine some of you might know it, but Edelbrock insists that you SHOULD NOT USE Fel-Pro "Permatorque" intake gaskets when you one install one of their intakes on a small block Chevy (not sure on big blocks).

A few months ago, my son and I changed over his 350 to a used Edelbrock intake with no instructions. We try to buy the best (most expensive) gaskets sold by our auto parts store. So, we chose the Fel-Pro Permatorques... Fel-Pro being a trusted brand name, and "Permatorque" hinting that the gasket would permanently stay torqued. Right?

Well, last Saturday we noticed a coolant leak dripping from the backside of the intake. We checked the torque on the intake bolts, and they were all fine. Still, coolant was puddling around the last intake bolt.

So, I called the Edelbrock Tech Center and was told that my problem was the intake gasket. They sent me to their website and I downloaded their Installation Instructions. I should have had the sense to do that when we installed it the first time, but I'm 62 years old and never read directions. Sure enough, right there in plain sight... DO NOT USE FEL-PRO PERMATORQUE GASKETS!

I carefully removed the intake this morning, and the 1 month old gasket had failed right at the thinnest part at the rear port opening. Wow... if I didn't have bad luck I would have no luck at all.

OK, I'm done venting... I just hope this saves someone else from this problem.

NoNeck

[turp mcspray]

Iron intakes require 35lbs. torque. Aluminum only 25lbs. Therefore not enough torque is applied to properly "squish" the permatorque style, when used with aluminum.

[shawno72]

So what gaskets did you end up using?

[Hellbent]

Yes, Please share- What gasket is best for this application?

[NoNeck]

Iron intakes require 35lbs. torque. Aluminum only 25lbs. Therefore not enough torque is applied to properly "squish" the permatorque style, when used with aluminum.
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Turp Mcspray

That makes perfect sense... the silicone around the ports would need a higher torque spec to compress the gasket.

So what gaskets did you end up using?
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Shawn

Shawno... my buddy!

The intake is an Edelbrock Performer EPS number 2701. Edelbrock recommended their #7201 intake gaskets, plus an application of "Gascacinch" around the ports and back side. So, I ordered a set from JEGs. They should be here today.

NoNeck

[shawno72]

Originally Posted by NoNeck

Shawno... my buddy!

The intake is an Edelbrock Performer EPS number 2701. Edelbrock recommended their #7201 intake gaskets, plus an application of "Gascacinch" around the ports and back side. So, I ordered a set from JEGs. They should be here today.

NoNeck

Right on Pop's. Let us know how that turns out as I will be installing a new Eddy myself within the next month or so.
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[CC69Rat]

Now I'm trying to remember what we used on the 68.

Makes sense to me. Good catch Pop.

[shawno72]

You know on my 72 I bought a set of the felpro high performance intake gaskets when I installed my eddy and I had no issues and didn't put any sealer except for the ends where it mounts onto the block part. They weren't the permatorque but were hanging out on the sales floor next to the intake manifolds at O'Reillys. Paid like $21 for them if I remember correctly. They were a dark grey color with the red silicone bead around the ports, once again if I remember correctly I think I will use those again cause they worked great and are priced right. Just a thought.
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[CC69Rat]

The ones we used had blue rings around the ports. Maybe that's the southern version. Kind of a Camo color .. ? Hahahaa..

[RexDodge]

Originally Posted by shawno72

You know on my 72 I bought a set of the felpro high performance intake gaskets when I installed my eddy and I had no issues and didn't put any sealer except for the ends where it mounts onto the block part. They weren't the permatorque but were hanging out on the sales floor next to the intake manifolds at O'Reillys. Paid like $21 for them if I remember correctly. They were a dark grey color with the red silicone bead around the ports, once again if I remember correctly I think I will use those again cause they worked great and are priced right. Just a thought.
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I've used the same gaskets several times with no problems.

[Lee H]

Nice reminder thread on the permatorques, Thanks. I have 3 airgaps in the stable with Fel-Pro 1205 intake gaskets. All's well.

[hjewell2]

Originally Posted by CC69Rat

The ones we used had blue rings around the ports. Maybe that's the southern version. Kind of a Camo color .. ? Hahahaa..

Same here blue rings and never a problem So far. Now I did have a set of old style fel-pro gaskets leak oil on both sides ended up tightening the snot out of them to get them to stop leaking oil they leaked in the middle of the intake #4-6 and #3-5 port. never did figure that out.

[CC69Rat]

We usually use some blue thread locker on the middle bolts, or some kind of grey sealer stuff dad has. Not sure what the technical name for it is but it stops those oil leaks #4-6 and #3-5

Dad might chime in .. I can't remember what he uses. It might just be grey RTV.

[NoNeck]

Shawno - I'll let you know how these gaskets work out. They came in today.

We usually use some blue thread locker on the middle bolts, or some kind of grey sealer stuff dad has. Not sure what the technical name for it is but it stops those oil leaks #4-6 and #3-5

The #4-6 and #3-5 bolts holes extend all the way through the heads into the intake galley. If you don't use some kind of sealer on the bolt threads, you will have cute little puddles of oil around them. Some people use liquid Teflon on the threads for those bolts, but I usually use a little Hi-Temp RTV Gray (just my preference). You don't need a lot... just once around the bolt. Both have worked for me in the past.

It's a little tougher to get them to seal once they start leaking, but you can try to remove the bolts (one at a time to prevent warpage) and clean the thread holes with some Lacquer Thinner on a Q-Tip. Just get as much oil out of the hole as you can to make sure the RTV seals.

NoNeck

[shawno72]

Originally Posted by CC69Rat

The ones we used had blue rings around the ports. Maybe that's the southern version. Kind of a Camo color .. ? Hahahaa..

Originally Posted by RexDodge

I've used the same gaskets several times with no problems.

Originally Posted by Lee H

Nice reminder thread on the permatorques, Thanks. I have 3 airgaps in the stable with Fel-Pro 1205 intake gaskets. All's well.

Originally Posted by hjewell2

Same here blue rings and never a problem So far. Now I did have a set of old style fel-pro gaskets leak oil on both sides ended up tightening the snot out of them to get them to stop leaking oil they leaked in the middle of the intake #4-6 and #3-5 port. never did figure that out.

It may have been blue Whatever color it was they worked great

[steves1967]

I've never had a problem using the Perma-torque gaskets on any intake I've installed. You could use sliced bread for gaskets as long as you coat them in gasgacinch, that stuff seals everything!!