What intake manifold gasket to get? !

[Dr_Zero]

The question comes up about intake manifolds leaking alot with the Vortec engines and you all know my opinion on it LOL

But when you go to replace that gasket they are not equal even one made by the same company show differences.

Here are some images (courtesy of Rockauto.com) that shows some of the options available out there.


ROL GASKETS Part # MS4420
[IMG][/IMG]


FEL-PRO Part # MS901312



FEL-PRO Part # MS98000T PermaDryPlus®


These babies are built better than the other two options in my opinion and what I opted for when it was time to do both my trucks.
You can see the steel vs the plastic reinforcement + better bolt hole sealing when torqued down they are a big improvement over stock.

So dont go cheap spend the little more it cost and get a better gasket and as a bonus you get all the other stuff you need in the same box ready to go including the sealant.

Now these are my opinions not endorsed by this forum or any vendor.

[Dr_Zero]

Fel-Pro Introduces Solution to Intake Manifold Gasket Leaks on Millions of Vehicles.
Publication: Business Wire
Date: Thursday, October 14 2004
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SOUTHFIELD, Mich. -- Fel-Pro(R), the automotive service industry's premier brand of engine sealing technologies, has introduced an advanced PermaDryPlus(R) replacement intake manifold gasket design that solves chronic coolant leakage issues facing millions of light trucks and sport-utility vehicles.
Fel-Pro Gaskets, "The Gaskets Professionals Trust," are manufactured and marketed by Federal-Mogul Corporation (OTCBB:FDMLQ).

Available through Fel-Pro suppliers across North America, the brand's latest gasket innovation ensures a lasting seal on millions of domestic engines that rely on extended-life coolant and were factory-equipped with rigid nylon and molded rubber-type intake manifold gaskets. A broad range of domestic engines may be susceptible to these sealing issues. Immediate coverage of the new Fel-Pro solution is offered for General Motors 5.0L and 5.7L engines manufactured from 1996 through 2002. Additional coverage -- for select Ford (3.8L, 4.0L and 4.2L) and G.M. (3.1L, 3.4L and 4.3L) applications -- will be introduced in early 2005.

"It appears that on some engines, the use of conventional plastic-and-rubber gaskets in combination with the more aggressive 'OAT' (Organic Acid Technology) engine coolants has caused a significant number of sealing-related issues for consumers and automotive service providers," said Fel-Pro Chief Engineer Jerry Rosenquist. "Our team has spent the past two years developing and testing a variety of gasket technologies that can survive in this very difficult operating environment. (Dex Cool for those forum members who might not know)

"Our new PermaDryPlus gasket is absolutely the best answer for millions of engines exhibiting sealing problems induced by aggressive coolant chemistries and engine-specific dynamic issues."

The new Fel-Pro PermaDryPlus gasket features a high-strength aluminized steel carrier that is edge molded and encapsulated with a proprietary fluoroelastomer (FKM) material. In addition, the new gasket features three separate sealing beads around coolant ports to ensure a long-lasting seal under any situation.

A key element of the Fel-Pro design, the new FKM material was specifically formulated by Federal-Mogul chemists to resist OAT coolants. "We ran our final dyno test for 612 hours and the gasket looked so good it was difficult to distinguish it from an untested part," Rosenquist said.

"The steel provides the strength needed to resist cracking and crushing, and the FKM provides exceptional fluid sealing under all conditions. This design solves the primary leakage issue everyone knows about as well as other concerns typical of engines that have entered the repair cycle.

"The consumer and service provider recognize the problem by the coolant spots that are left on the ground. Unfortunately, retorquing the manifold bolts simply causes additional damage to the carrier, making the leakage much worse," Rosenquist added. Coolant ultimately can leak into the engine oil, causing significant damage to internal components, he said.

Fel-Pro engineers tested several gasket technologies before identifying the new encapsulated design as the best solution, according to Rosenquist. "Our ultimate design is the right choice by any measure - strength, fluid sealability, corrosion resistance, affordability, and ease of installation."

[Dr_Zero]

The new PermaDryPlus gasket was subjected to thousands of hours of dynamometer testing before being approved for production. Among the tests was a deep thermal cycle evaluation in which the engine was heated to 240 degrees F, then "shocked" with 0 degrees F coolant in an attempt to induce gasket failure.

"This gasket came through with flying colors - it's absolutely awesome," Rosenquist said.

Other key design features of the new Fel-Pro PermaDryPlus design are stainless steel load limiters and integral locator pins molded into the FKM material.

This new technology is now available as part of a complete Fel-Pro Manifold Installation Set (Fel-Pro P/N MS 98000T) for G.M. 5.0L and 5.7L V8 truck engines manufactured from 1996 through 2002. This time-saving new set contains all of the premium technologies needed to complete an intake manifold gasket repair, including PermaDryPlus lower manifold gaskets, upper manifold gaskets and an advanced PermaDry(R) valve cover gasket.

For more information on the new Fel-Pro PermaDryPlus gasket and other Fel-Pro problem-solving designs, contact your Fel-Pro supplier, visit www.federal-mogul.com/felpro, or write to: Fel-Pro Gaskets, Federal-Mogul Corp., 26555 Northwestern Highway, Southfield, MI 48034.

Federal-Mogul is a leading global supplier offering a comprehensive portfolio of quality products, trusted brands and creative solutions to the automotive and other industries. The Company utilizes its engineering and materials expertise, proprietary and innovative technology, manufacturing skill, distribution flexibility and marketing power to create value for its stakeholders. The Company's principal customers include many of the world's foremost original equipment manufacturers of vehicles and industrial products, and aftermarket retailers and wholesalers.

Headquartered in Southfield, Michigan, Federal-Mogul's rich heritage began in Detroit, Michigan, in 1899. Today, Federal-Mogul employs more than 45,000 people in 29 countries. On October 1, 2001, Federal-Mogul decided to separate its asbestos liabilities from its true operating potential by voluntarily filing for financial restructuring under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the United States and Administration in the United Kingdom. For more information on Federal-Mogul, visit the company's Web site at http://www.federal-mogul.com.

[phoebeisis]

This is very timely and helpful since I'm pretty sure that my mystery coolant leak is from the intake manifold gasket.

Motor has 209,700 miles had new gaskets at 161,000 miles- 4 years ago.
The coolant has been going down, but no coolant ever makes it to the ground.

I finally found a pool of orangy/red coolant on top of the bellhousing, and slowly rolling down the bellhousing(made me wonder if it was trans fluid, it wasn't-no nasty trans fluid smell, wrong feel, slightly different red color).I used a mirror, but still can't really see the actual leaking spot-it is way in the back on the drivers side,I think-just forward and above the bellhousing.

Guess I know what I'll be doing for the next few days.

Thanks,
Charlie

[CarpenterGuy]

sweet. thanks for the info.

[Dr_Zero]

Its that time of year again when heat causes failures

[vulcania]

I took your advice and bought the Fel Pro gaskets set. Only makes sense to use the best. Thanks!

Pat

[Dr_Zero]

I took your advice and bought the Fel Pro gaskets set. Only makes sense to use the best. Thanks!

Pat

Cool beans

When I went to get mine locally they at first didnt know they had them and tried to sell me the cheap set, but Im with you why not get the best to begin with and save the grief down the road.

[phoebeisis]

Dr Zero

Thanks again.

One year and 3100 miles ago I used the FelPro 98000 set. So far so good.

I got it mailorder- it was just $60 delivered-some sort of Amazon sale. Normally it is maybe $70 online delivered and maybe $90 locally.


I'm currently debating another 3000 mile trip-New Orleans>Flagstaff AZ>New Orleans.
I've done this trip twice-at 200,000 miles and 206,000 miles.
I always sweated the trips-lotta miles on this truck- but it has been a champ-not even a burp.

We even idle it for 5 hours at a time-we sleep at a rest stop on Hy 287 in TX-AC on idling-Suburban is great for sleeping- 2 adults and one leggy greyhound(my white Doberman who is our guard dog arf,arf get the gun ))

Oh well-thanks
Charlie

[vulcania]

Cool beans

When I went to get mine locally they at first didnt know they had them and tried to sell me the cheap set, but Im with you why not get the best to begin with and save the grief down the road.

Right on!

It was $105 for the kit here in Hilo Hawaii...("Paradise"..yeah, right!) But I was lucky to find it and it's the right part number, unopened package. So i feel good to go.

I have another question i posted in a separate thread, but seeing as how you are into this aspect of things I'll ask you. (Hope that's cool with the forum. Don't mean to double post.)

Do I have to remove the distributor before I can R&R the lower intake manifold?

I ask because (1) my Haynes manual is so ambiguously worded i can't tell whether it says I have to remove the wires or the distributor itself; (2) there's still so much stuff in the way I can't see the distributor base; and (3) if I have to pull the distributor out of the engine, I'm sending the job to the shop.

Whatayathink, Dr. Zero? Do i have to pull the distributor or not?

Thanks again!

Pat