I have a 73 Ford with a 360. I'm putting a lot of new upgrades on it this weekend (headers, intake, carb) and I'm wondering what else I need to put the intake on. I have a new thermostat and gasket, water neck, and coolant. I've recently replaced the valve cover gaskets also. I need to know what other gaskets I need to put the intake on. I've heard with these 4 barrel edelbrock carbs that they will suck in the gaskets and to just use RTV but I'm not sure which gaskets they suck up and which ones I still need. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

You'll need to pull the valve covers to change the manifold, since on the FE's the intake sits partially under the valve cover.

That being said I wouldn't re-use the gaskets, especially if they're cork gaskets, they're cheap anyway.

 

Just remember those intake manifold gaskets are proprietary on an FE motor.

Make sure you have the right one for the right side or you'll be inventing some new words when she starts overheating.

 

Use Ford TA-31 on the china walls of the block instead of the cork gaskets. also, be SURE you have the right intake gaskets. Felpro has a Print-o-seal that likes to suck into the port on deceleration. Check with Survival Motorsports or Lykins Motorsports to make sure you don't get the wrong one for your combo, make sure you know which head and manifold you are using.

 

Need to lightly coat where gasket meets head with permatex. I also went around water ports with a thin film. You will be amazed how easy it is to put aluminum one on after you take that 80 lb iron one off. Lol.

 

Do not use the intake front and rear end gaskets. Throw them away and run a 3/8" bead of ultra black rtv. Let set up for 10 or 15 minutes and then lower the intake. I used an engine lift to lower it and used all thread rods in the corners to guide the intake on straight on the first drop.

 

Ok thanks for the feedback. Were you guys able to reuse the original bolts or did you buy a stud kit?

 

I set the distributor in before I bolt the manifold down to position it perfectly fore and aft.

 

I reused stock bolts but you can get fancy hex head grade 8 bolts at a tractor supply or Lowes for less than $20. Probably not a bad idea to go new.

 

You can get new ones at a tractor supply or a Lowe's for around $20. Even hex head I just used originals.

 

I used the originals on my 428cj with no problems.

 

don't forget you'll need a cherry picker to pickup the stock cast intake from off the engine 70+ lbs plus locked in place for 40 years .

 

Aint that the dang truth.......

 

If you use high temp.silicone on front & rear of valley you could step up to "Right Stuff" gasket maker its a little higher durometer I always run two large beads thick there's a really big gap there.

 

Depending on the intake you choose, it may not have exhaust crossover ports. If so, then plug the ports on the head. Good luck.

Kurt