One last question before I do the lower Intake manifold gasket replacement this weekend. I've got a fel-pro gasket kit with permaseal high temp black gasket sealer. Do I apply any gasket sealant to either side of the new lower manifold gaskets? Either to the head or the manifold itself?

Also, the Chiltons calls for applying a bead of sealant to the surfaces that the end manifold gasket seals are applied to. I saw previous sealant on the very ends of the end seals but not along the length of the end gasket mating surfaces themselves. Thanks in advance.

 

I just finished this job, and I used no sealant on the heads or the gaskets on the heads. However Haynes recommended some rtv Under the end seals, and a small dab at each end where they meet the head . I did this as they recommended, 1/8 inch bead. Have driven less than 100 mi, ,but with no problems.

 

I only put sealant on the corners of the end seals as well. About 400 miles on the repair and it looks like I dodged a bullet.

 

Just finish my sons 98 f-150 today, ran it for about an hour to bring it up to temp. I will be pulling spark plugs in the morning with my fingers crossed, hope every thing is ok.

 

I just bought a '97 F150 2wd scab 4.2 5 speed (only 78,000 miles, and cheap!), and I have a question on this very subject -- is replacing the intake gaskets on this engine much more involved than doing the same job on older v-8's ? I could rebuild a 302 from the block up while wearing a blindfold, but I've yet to turn a wrench in anger on anything this new. My questions are:

Do I need any special tools?

What exactly needs replacing to avoid the hydrolock bullet?

What else should I do as long as I'm in there?

How much time should I expect this to take?


Thanks in advance for future answers, and Blessed Mother of Acceleration, this forum rocks!

 

Just metric tools. Replace the lower intake gaskets, and the o-rings that go on the fuel injectors, cause they will have to be removed from the heads, and the potential for damage is there. Plan for a weekend job to do it right.

 

If you're capable of rebuilding an engine this should be a snap. The upper manifold comes out which gets you to the lower manifolds. You'll be best to replace the upper manifold gasket and, of course, the lower manifold gaskets which are the culprit to begin with. Mostly metric bolts. The bolts holding the lower manifold down are small, 8 MM I recall. They don't require much torque. The job mostly involves disconnecting a bunch of stuff. I bought a Haynes repair manual which was far better than the Chiltons I got from the Library.