intake manifold oil leaks at center bolts - ??
#1
Drifting
Thread Starter
intake manifold oil leaks at center bolts - ??
I've been playing with SBC cars for 45 years or more, and this never bothered me before. I think hanging around the Corvette crew is starting to have an adverse effect on me.
anyway, what sealer do you use on the center two intake manifold bolts to keep them from weeping oil? I like to re-torque a replaced intake manifold after a few heat cycles, so silicone really doesn't work to seal the bolts themselves. Permagasket doesn't seem to take the heat well, and seems to "melt" out of the threads.
I'm tired of dabbing out the few drops of oil that gather there after every couple tanks of gas.
Russ
anyway, what sealer do you use on the center two intake manifold bolts to keep them from weeping oil? I like to re-torque a replaced intake manifold after a few heat cycles, so silicone really doesn't work to seal the bolts themselves. Permagasket doesn't seem to take the heat well, and seems to "melt" out of the threads.
I'm tired of dabbing out the few drops of oil that gather there after every couple tanks of gas.
Russ
#3
Team Owner
Member Since: Mar 2003
Location: Greenville, Indiana
Posts: 26,118
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Hey Peebody. This isn't a Corvette problem. This is an operator problem. Buy you an engine service manual and it'll tell you to use sealer on all the bolts that are not blind holes. That is usually all of them except the ones on the four corners.
In the meantime Permatex #2 aviation sealer works well. OMC makes a similar sealer as well.
In the meantime Permatex #2 aviation sealer works well. OMC makes a similar sealer as well.
#4
Drifting
Thread Starter
Hey Peebody. This isn't a Corvette problem. This is an operator problem. Buy you an engine service manual and it'll tell you to use sealer on all the bolts that are not blind holes. That is usually all of them except the ones on the four corners.
In the meantime Permatex #2 aviation sealer works well. OMC makes a similar sealer as well.
In the meantime Permatex #2 aviation sealer works well. OMC makes a similar sealer as well.
[Post removed.]
Russ
Last edited by MrPbody; 06-30-2013 at 07:07 PM.
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Chalie M (10-03-2021)
#5
Instructor
I had this exact same problem a few years ago.
The oil c an actually back out up the bolt threads.
I took the advice that was posted above - Permatex or Lithium Grease thread sealer, one treatment, and I've never had a problem in 8 years.
The oil c an actually back out up the bolt threads.
I took the advice that was posted above - Permatex or Lithium Grease thread sealer, one treatment, and I've never had a problem in 8 years.
#6
Melting Slicks
Russ:
Do you have a cast iron intake?
They tend to shrink up in the center, because of the exhaust gas crossover.
Had the same oil pooling problem on a '65 300hp and getting the intake machined cured it.
Mike
Do you have a cast iron intake?
They tend to shrink up in the center, because of the exhaust gas crossover.
Had the same oil pooling problem on a '65 300hp and getting the intake machined cured it.
Mike
#7
Drifting
Thread Starter
I'm using an old TM1 (no heat crossover) on a warmed over 69 350.
[hold on a second wile MikeM catches up. he'll need time to Google TM1 ]………..
The oil is migrating up the threads of the center two bolts on each side just enough to leave a dab of oil per 100 miles or so. I've used the usual "fixes", but it still persists.
Thanks for your input.
Russ
#8
Race Director
Thanks Mike.
I'm using an old TM1 (no heat crossover) on a warmed over 69 350.
[hold on a second wile MikeM catches up. he'll need time to Google TM1 ]………..
The oil is migrating up the threads of the center two bolts on each side just enough to leave a dab of oil per 100 miles or so. I've used the usual "fixes", but it still persists.
Thanks for your input.
Russ
I'm using an old TM1 (no heat crossover) on a warmed over 69 350.
[hold on a second wile MikeM catches up. he'll need time to Google TM1 ]………..
The oil is migrating up the threads of the center two bolts on each side just enough to leave a dab of oil per 100 miles or so. I've used the usual "fixes", but it still persists.
Thanks for your input.
Russ
I usually use Thread sealer and then a washer under the bolt head to prevent oil wicking up the threads. If you've already tried that then I'm at a loss.
Hitch
#9
Drifting
Thread Starter
I'll have to go look and see if that area is machined, or just cast, on this intake.
Russ
#11
Melting Slicks
I've had good luck with ARP Thread Sealer also - no wicking after three years. No washer necessary. Available from Summit for about $10.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/arp-100-9904
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/arp-100-9904
#12
Race Director
I usually use a washer, lock washer and the bolt nothing special and the thread sealer. I don't think you need to get fancy with a copper washer.
Hitch
#13
Drifting
I've always used Permatex Hi-Tack (the red stuff) on any bolt that goes into oil or water. It never hardens so it can be retorqued without breaking the seal and creating a leak. It comes in a little can with a brush applicator.
Verne
Verne
#14
Drifting
I have tried most of the above recommendations as far as sealers - none really stopped
the wicking ... so I thought maybe the bolts have stretched over the years and went to HomeDepot bought 4 grade 8 bolts to replace the old ones ... no leaks after 200 mies ,
keeping my fingers crossed (L79 )
the wicking ... so I thought maybe the bolts have stretched over the years and went to HomeDepot bought 4 grade 8 bolts to replace the old ones ... no leaks after 200 mies ,
keeping my fingers crossed (L79 )
Last edited by csysman; 07-01-2013 at 06:10 PM.
#15
Le Mans Master
Fel-Pro used to make a product called Grey Bolt Prep, it was a great thread sealer and low grade lock compound. They quit making this back in 1998, sold it to Permatex as I recall but I do not know if the product was ever sold as a permatex branded product. I bought 10 tubes of the Grey bolt prep when I heard it was going away, I am now down to the last tube and looking forward to a good answer to this question. The product was great for Head bolts and Manifold bolts.
#16
Pro
#17
Drifting
Thread Starter
I needed to order some parts from Summit yesterday, so I added a tube of the ARP sealer to the order. I'll let ya'all know how/if it does the trick.
The more I drive this 64, the better I like it. the wife and I drove it 30 miles or so yesterday to a little town East of us because it has a pharmacy that sells home made ice cream.
Russ
PS: that was mean Old Blazer….
The more I drive this 64, the better I like it. the wife and I drove it 30 miles or so yesterday to a little town East of us because it has a pharmacy that sells home made ice cream.
Russ
PS: that was mean Old Blazer….
#19
Pro
#20
Drifting
Thread Starter
with 4.11s, my 350 with TM1 and small cam sing a sweet song out the side pipes wilst rowing through the gears. no problem chugging around town even. I will admit that the Air Gap is a much more versatile piece however. not a thing wrong with that one.
Russ