Hi everyone,
Seems that no matter what I do, I can't quite get my Offenhauser intake to seal up correctly and I finally nailed why. The furthest bottom left bolt (if facing the intake/exhaust manifolds) barely has enough of a tab underneath it for a washer to go over. When torqued, the washer only grabs an edge of the ear and barely holds on. I just took it off to put on a new gasket, and now there isn't enough of the ear left for it to grab on to.
It looks like it was either a design or casting flaw, as the ear itself isn't damaged. There just isn't enough of it. The intake is also firmly held in place by the hanging peg on the rear of the engine, so it can't be slid any closer to the bolt (I imagine this would also create a large lip inside the runners too, since it wouldn't be directly over the intake ports.)

This picture shows what I mean. The red circle is the washer that extends over the ears to allow the bolts to torque down. I can't put a larger washer on it since, as the picture shows, the current washer is already tightly up against the intake runner, so a bigger diameter isn't possible.

What can I do? Is anyone else's like this? Wish Offenhauser would have just put a wider ear tab on it.

 

Hey could you take a piece of flat stock steel and make a washer and oblong it so it has like a wing to catch on the intake tab? I Tried to draw on your pic what Im talking about.



Have you tried using some copper spray gasket stuff on it yet? I did that on mine when I had leaks and it helped it seal up real good. I hope this help only thing I could think of to do besides some how welding a piece on the tab to make it larger. Good luck!

 

Thanks for the suggestions, I may have to look for some steel, especially for that one bolt. Probably a lot easier than welding more on to the tab, since I'd have to pay someone else to do it.
Haven't tried copper spray yet. How does that make removal later on? Planning a Head P&P and the gasket I have on there now was kind of pricey since it's a performance Clifford gasket designed to seal better. Don't wanna tear it up.

 

I agree with using an oversize washer, a good thick one or double up two normal ones, then grind the part of the washer off that you need to to make it clear the runners but still have a nice footprint on the tabs. I would get an even clamping force on all your tabs first, then try gunk later.

I only gunk thermostat gaskets and the ends of V8 intake gaskets. I've never used the copper stuff (not saying it's bad, just saying I don't know if or how it works)

 

I've used that copper spray gasket stuff the last 2 times I've put my gaskets on. It isn't messy and my gaskets have came right off. It just gives alittle stickyness to tithe gasket and once it drys it's just a copper color. Hey AB I just p&p my head and put a cam in. I found a really go video on the Internet about how to do the p&p. Was about two hours long. Covered everything about it. If you would want it to watch pm me and I'll figure out a way to get it to you.

 

What type of copper spray was it? Brand, etc? Sounds like it'd work well from what you're describing.
How'd the P&P help? I'd love a copy of the video since the project is coming up.

 

I think it is forma gasket brand. Comes in a gold spray can. The p&p helped alot!! I can't just say it's from the p&p since i put in a new cam. Let me say the gains from the intake carb and efi manifolds was alot but wow it really puts you back in ur seat ompared to what it used too!! Breathes alot better.

 

Hey AB,

would love to see pic's of the fix you come up with on that If I every get my head back I will have that sorted and ready to go...

 

Definitely will when I figure it out.
I was curious how yours was doing, guess you're just waiting, huh?

 

ya just wait'n like here.... I did take the head in at a bad time and new it could be a bit but it's been alot now lol.

all is painted and ready to be put back together other than that

 

I like the Football shaped washer idea as well.

 

These are obviously expensive because they're for an antique collector's car, but where could one find some normal washers like these?

1954 Corvette 1953 1955 origl manifold washers set of 6: eBay Motors (item 400004263969 end time Jun-17-10 05:32:05 PDT)

They'd work perfect.

 

use a mr gasket #260, same gasket, 1/2 the price. use indian head copper gasket sealant, comes in a small bottle, you brush it on with the included brush, sticks good, cleans off better than weatherstripping cement. grind a large fender washer to the shape you need, make sure it's a hardened washer, or it will just bend when you torque it down

 

Well DustyBumpers, I wish I had used that gasket.
Looks like the Clifford one is a piece of absolute junk. I think I may have found my problem.




Looks like the gasket mushroomed out under stock torque specs and the tab broke off as a result. Going to email those pictures to Clifford and complain, but I doubt they'll do anything about it.

Is it possible to fix broken tabs?

 

An accomplished welder can probably fix it.