Sealing up the valley pan...Performer RPM AND Stealth heads

[bigmanjbmopar]

I have rummaged through as many old posts about sealing up the valley pan and all I could find was everyone talking what seems to be stock set up,

Can anyone say for sure what the best fit is for the RPM and Stealth heads for the valley pan? two gaskets or just pan and rtv?

 

[lewtot184]

the best way is using the 2 paper gaskets on each side in conjunction with the valley pan. the intake manifold must be machined for proper fit. rtv is not compatible with gasoline and may create a problem.

 

[bigmanjbmopar]

I have read that the copper rtv works and you should only use one gasket or no gasket?? confused. you have this set up and it does not leak? What did you use to seal the ends and gaskets?

 

[scotts74birds]

Sorry, but NEVER got the valley pan to seal on my 383 when using the paper gaskets! Always leaked. And the paper gaskets caused the bolts to not go in well and stripped one. The solution was to use the valley pan gasket, with Permatex Hylomar on both sides of the pan. This worked great, the bolt holes lined up perfectly.

 

[Meep-Meep]

Assuming the stealth heads are at the exact same dimension as the iron ones there is no provision for a paper gasket. For the end rails use "the right stuff" or the Toyota or Yamabond sealer. I have used the brush tack aviation stuff around the ports with good results and a variety of other sealers that were in reach.

 

[lewtot184]

this is what i've done using the felpro papers and and valley pan. the intake has to be machined to allow for the extra .060 on each side. i use permatex high-tac to attach a paper to each head and the gasket surface on both sides of the intake. i spray the valley pan head/intake surfaces with copper coat and rtv the end rails. i use a little arp thread sealer on the intake bolts to prevent any sippage. torque it down and no internal leaks. if i had aluminum heads i'd use the aftermarket type sheet metal valley covers and one paper on each side. this will isolate the intake from the valley and eliminate sucking oil thru the intake.

 

[bigmanjbmopar]

Now I remember were my original thread on this went it got archived had to google it.

Any way here is what I did the first time it leaked, was very pissed.

Here is a mock up of the heads manifold and valley pan, one paper gasket on the manifold side and just a little black rtv around the pan to head area and under the hold downs. DI NOT WORK the first time

I have a factory style valley pan on its way, and I am going to try the Permatex® Aviation Form-A-Gasket® No. 3 Sealant and the Permatex® Hylomar® Universal Blue Racing Formula Gasket Dressing & Flange Sealant on the valley pan sides and use the paper gasket on the manifold side. The manifold never leaked since the only thing passing through it is gas and air.

The problem with the 440source pan is that it bends downward at a 45° angle and when you set the heads on there it has a small gap between the see the pic, I am going to have to destroy it to get it out since the heads sit on top of it, total BS don't know why I bought that crap was only thinking it had a deep recces for the plenum on the RPM

On my original post about this I said the next time it leaked the stock style was going on, I guess I am surprised that it only lasted a few months and a couple hundred miles. And the HIGH TEMP BLACK RTV IS CRAP!
thanks for all the links and advice guys Merry Christmas!