Please Help; Oil on valley pan. See Photos.

[Moparsmitty]

Can't tell by the pics, lol, and somebody correct me if I'm off my rocker!

Doesn't look like you used any of the thin paper gaskets.
The deal I've always been told is.........always use a paper gasket against aluminum.

The steel pan 'gasket' works for steel heads, and steel intake. If used against aluminum, it will eventually dig into the aluminum mating surface. That's why paper against aluminum is recommended.

On your application, the pan against the (steel) heads, using a thin paper gasket on top for the aluminum intake to sit on. The four thin paper gaskets are for aluminum heads and intake.

I have heard that you should use paper gaskets with aluminum for years but I've always just used the steel pan with a little sealant and have never had a problem. I just replaced an aluminum intake that was on a 440 for many years with just the steel gasket and the old intake didn't show any signs of wear or leakage on the mating surface. I suspect that guys have trouble because the manifold isn't torqued properly or not re-torqued periodically.

 

[440fish]

Just went through this on my 440. Manifold bolts were loose and she was pulling oil. Good news is when your done it may have better vacuum at idle now that it is sealed up tight.

I used the fel-pro kit with paper gaskets. What i was told to do is install the gaskets, pan & intake on the block (dry) and then tighten the bolts on the corners of the manifold. Now get a light and look down one of the empty holes and see if the bore is true. If you see a jog between the manifold bore and the block then you may need to remove the paper (depending which direction you need to go) If it is too "offset" you may need to machine your intake to get it right. Of course this all depends if your heads or block have been machined at some point. This procedure helped me as i had no idea of the history of my motor and i would have chased leaks forever.

I used a little of the permatex gasket sealer (the spray bomb stuff) upon install based on an experienced recommendation. If really helps keep everything true when installing.

 

[RedHot67]

So, I completely left the paper gaskets out and put the intakes on with permatex and no problems at all. Just kept tightening the bolts every so often but no oil. Good luck!

Same over here in Germany! :glasses2:

 

[themechanic]

Can't tell by the pics, lol, and somebody correct me if I'm off my rocker!

Doesn't look like you used any of the thin paper gaskets.
The deal I've always been told is.........always use a paper gasket against aluminum.

The steel pan 'gasket' works for steel heads, and steel intake. If used against aluminum, it will eventually dig into the aluminum mating surface. That's why paper against aluminum is recommended.

On your application, the pan against the (steel) heads, using a thin paper gasket on top for the aluminum intake to sit on. The four thin paper gaskets are for aluminum heads and intake.

According to the MOPAR guru at MOPAR Action, you were right.

Tech Question

Frank Ohlhorst, Medford, NY, 79 Dodge Magnum 440

The Jury seems to still be out on this one - When installing an aluminum intake on a big block - what is the best way to seal it!

- Some say the factory Valley pan is fine, just add some sealer to the corners - others put sealer around each port also - some glue paper gaskets to valley pan intake holes - and some even trim the valley pan down (removing the intake portion) and use paper gaskets

When ever I ask this question on a forum - a fight breaks out - so I am leaving it to you for the correct answer - What is the best way to Install an Intake on a big block?

Use the stock valley pan with the thin paper gaskets contact-cemented to both sides. Then a small daub of RTV in the corners. No sealer between the paper and the manifold or heads - it must be able to move. Even a thin coat of Vaseline isn't a bad idea.

Rick

I hope it doesn't leak without the paper gaskets since i didn't use them.

 

[miller]

Just repeating what the 'pros' say. A matter of options.

What matters is if the job is done to your liking, and the results are good. The old saying is 'there's more than one way to skin a cat!'.