Intake leak at front china wall

[Huicho417]

My engine leaks a few drops of oil under the front side of the intake manifold when I drive on the highway. It’s a 318 with an edelbrock carb and performer intake. I did make sure to only use the gaskets on the side rails and sealant along the front an back. I’m sure I did not add enough sealant along the front China wall and that is what is causing it to leak. My question is regarding the small tabs from the head gasket that stick out. Do these need to be cut before installing the intake, or is it ok to leave them? I know they interlock into the cork gasket when one is used. But thinking about I logically it seems like this may be a potential issue when only using sealant.

 

[69Bee]

I trim them after I install the heads. I use a sharp chisel, and a tap or two from a hammer and they either cut off or I just need to work them back and forth a few times to remove. DON'T go crazy with the hammer, just a few taps will do to cut thru the tab.

 

[R413]

Just clean the area with brake cleaner a few times, make sure it’s dry and add more sealer to the front, smooth it out before it dries to make it look nice.

I just had to do the same thing to one I did. No big deal and it’s dry now. Was easy with no A/C. I’m glad it wasn’t the rear of the engine.

 

[69Bee]

Just clean the area with brake cleaner a few times, make sure it’s dry and add more sealer to the front, smooth it out before it dries to make it look nice.

I just had to do the same thing to one I did. No big deal and it’s dry now. Was easy with no A/C. I’m glad it wasn’t the rear of the engine.

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If the heads and block are milled, and especially if the "Valley End-rails" are not cut, the OEM cork gaskets can keep the water ports from sealing when the manifold is installed. I have had at least 3 customers with this problem (1 GM and 2 Mopar). They said that the coolant gets into the oil pan, and when I ask if they used the intake valley rail seals, the answer is yes. Just use the head/intake gaskets and RTV for the end-rails. Hell, that is even what the OEM does today. Another problem you can have when installing an aluminum manifold with the same milled situation and OEM end-rail seals is cracking the intake. The seals stop compressing, and upon further tightening of the intake bolts to spec, the intake will crack at a bolt hole. I have seen this at least twice also.