tpi manifold install gone wrong
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tpi manifold install gone wrong
I recently tore my intake manifold off of my 88 to do some port work. Just got it put back together tonight and ready to fire. The engine starts and runs very erractic and rough with a horrible sound. Doubled checked the plug wires and they were right on. basically it seems like there is water getting into the cylinders causing the knocking sound and the rough running. I don't really know how this could have happened other than the gaskets somehow were installed wrong. here are some pictures showing the exposed gasket possibily indicated a backwards intall?
Any theories of what could be going on would be appreciated. Also, if anyone could show me a picture of the correct way a gasket should be install on a tpi car
Here you can see the massive amount of water coming of the exhaust.
I can take more pictures and possibly a video of it trying to run if need be for more info. Tonight I justs needed to walk away before something got snapped.
Any theories of what could be going on would be appreciated. Also, if anyone could show me a picture of the correct way a gasket should be install on a tpi car
Here you can see the massive amount of water coming of the exhaust.
I can take more pictures and possibly a video of it trying to run if need be for more info. Tonight I justs needed to walk away before something got snapped.
Last edited by ekess744; Apr 1, 2009 at 11:22 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: sw Ohio
The exposed gasket doesnt necessarily mean it was installed backwards, it does that on mine. When you installed it did you remember to put RTV around the holes? Another possibility is that you could have ported too much, creating a coolant leak. The only way to find out for sure is to take the manifold off and check.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Pearland Texas
Hope you let the RTV cure for 24 hours. Right Stuff with seal quickly, but RTV will blow out on a start up if not cured first. The holes are the coolant ports front and back of the heads. Some people put RTV around these port holes on the gasket itself, I for one did not put the RTV on and I have not had any problems.
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The rtv had approx. 7 days to cure. I am starting to wonder if the wire brush I used to remove the old gaskets could have distorted the surface enough to cause this kind of leak
Last edited by ekess744; Apr 2, 2009 at 12:10 AM.
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I have the felpro ms 93318 intake manifold set 45738
I would love it if it was just the wrong set.
Last edited by ekess744; Apr 2, 2009 at 12:27 AM.
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Safety Car
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From: Yucaipa CA
If its a F-body manifold depending how far up into the manifold you were porting. you could have hit the waterjacket between where the thermostat and the intake port is for the #1 cylinder, it is not very thick there.
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You'd think I would have noticed hitting the water jacket. I'll look that section over really well when I pull the manfold. I am hoping I get some strong evidence of where/what the problem is when I tear it back down.
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forgot to mention that
Safety Car
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From: Yucaipa CA
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I really hope that is the case. That's simple and easy to fix, provided I didnt mess the engine up thought all that water. The funny part is, I had a buddy helping me out and I didnt pay much attention to the install of the base because I thought he was experienced enough to handle it. I was in and out of the garage not really watching what was going on.
Safety Car
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From: Yucaipa CA
Looking at this picture. I see a very small hole in the gasket which I believe is the same hole in the second picture on the back of the gaskets. Just did them on my 1990 and no small hole is exposed like your picture.
Team Owner
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From: sw Ohio
Oh yeah I do see that now and if thats the case then the coolant holes werent even punched out and this means the gasket was put on wrong.
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I do know that the small holes did get pointed to the rear of the car, like they were supposed to be. I am just wondering if it were some how possible to have had the right side facing up, and the coolant holes to the back, yet still have got them on wrong?
Safety Car
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From: Yucaipa CA
I will post pics on my vettes tomorrow. But I do know you can get them on wrong, or the moved when you tried installing them. But still could be a waterjacket issue.
just saying that size of hole could only be one hole on the gasket and if its exposed like that then you did install something wrong.
just saying that size of hole could only be one hole on the gasket and if its exposed like that then you did install something wrong.