C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

tpi manifold install gone wrong

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 1, 2009 | 11:19 PM
  #1  
ekess744's Avatar
ekess744
Thread Starter
Pro
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 702
Likes: 0
Default 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.

Last edited by ekess744; Apr 1, 2009 at 11:22 PM.
Reply
Old Apr 1, 2009 | 11:32 PM
  #2  
Demonic85's Avatar
Demonic85
Team Owner
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24,460
Likes: 7
From: sw Ohio
Default

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.
Reply
Old Apr 1, 2009 | 11:44 PM
  #3  
ekess744's Avatar
ekess744
Thread Starter
Pro
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 702
Likes: 0
Default

I only put rtv on the on the front and back. Which holes are you refering to?
Reply
Old Apr 1, 2009 | 11:57 PM
  #4  
Dads90's Avatar
Dads90
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 898
Likes: 1
From: Pearland Texas
Default

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.
Reply
Old Apr 2, 2009 | 12:07 AM
  #5  
pologreen1's Avatar
pologreen1
Team Owner
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 20,974
Likes: 261
Default

UH OH that sucks
Reply
Old Apr 2, 2009 | 12:08 AM
  #6  
ekess744's Avatar
ekess744
Thread Starter
Pro
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 702
Likes: 0
Default

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.
Reply
Old Apr 2, 2009 | 12:09 AM
  #7  
Pwnage1337's Avatar
Pwnage1337
Tech Contributor
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 190
From: Custer, WI
Default

damn now you have to take the whole thing apart again..
Reply
Old Apr 2, 2009 | 12:12 AM
  #8  
jeffp1167's Avatar
jeffp1167
Safety Car
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 4,689
Likes: 4
From: Yucaipa CA
Default

felpros say "this side up" on them, you probably hit a water jacket in the manifold when porting, they are pretty thin.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-7

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Apr 2, 2009 | 12:20 AM
  #9  
ekess744's Avatar
ekess744
Thread Starter
Pro
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 702
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by jeffp1167
felpros say "this side up" on them, you probably hit a water jacket in the manifold when porting, they are pretty thin.
You can see (not in the picture though) that it does say this side up from the exterior. If it was a better picture, you would be able to see it in the first picture.

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.
Reply
Old Apr 2, 2009 | 12:22 AM
  #10  
ekess744's Avatar
ekess744
Thread Starter
Pro
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 702
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by Pwnage1337
damn now you have to take the whole thing apart again..
It's more like what the hell did I do to cause it. I can take it apart all day long, but if i farked up the manifold, theres nothing I can do.
Reply
Old Apr 2, 2009 | 12:30 AM
  #11  
jeffp1167's Avatar
jeffp1167
Safety Car
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 4,689
Likes: 4
From: Yucaipa CA
Default

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.

Reply
Old Apr 2, 2009 | 12:36 AM
  #12  
ekess744's Avatar
ekess744
Thread Starter
Pro
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 702
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by jeffp1167
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.

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.
Reply
Old Apr 2, 2009 | 12:40 AM
  #13  
jeffp1167's Avatar
jeffp1167
Safety Car
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 4,689
Likes: 4
From: Yucaipa CA
Default

If it were a gasket issue I would think you would have a hell of a lot of water in the oil verses out the tailpipes
Reply
Old Apr 2, 2009 | 12:45 AM
  #14  
ekess744's Avatar
ekess744
Thread Starter
Pro
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 702
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by jeffp1167
If it were a gasket issue I would think you would have a hell of a lot of water in the oil verses out the tailpipes
THere is evidence of water in the oil also forgot to mention that
Reply
Old Apr 2, 2009 | 12:51 AM
  #15  
jeffp1167's Avatar
jeffp1167
Safety Car
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 4,689
Likes: 4
From: Yucaipa CA
Default

Originally Posted by ekess744
THere is evidence of water in the oil also forgot to mention that
Then I think you installed the gaskets is wrong is all .... dont run it though that amount of water entering the exhaust is a great way to bend and or break a connecting rod
Reply
Old Apr 2, 2009 | 12:57 AM
  #16  
ekess744's Avatar
ekess744
Thread Starter
Pro
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 702
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by jeffp1167
Then I think you installed the gaskets is wrong is all .... dont run it though that amount of water entering the exhaust is a great way to bend and or break a connecting rod
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.
Reply
Old Apr 2, 2009 | 12:59 AM
  #17  
jeffp1167's Avatar
jeffp1167
Safety Car
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 4,689
Likes: 4
From: Yucaipa CA
Default

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.



Reply

Get notified of new replies

To tpi manifold install gone wrong

Old Apr 2, 2009 | 01:05 AM
  #18  
Demonic85's Avatar
Demonic85
Team Owner
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24,460
Likes: 7
From: sw Ohio
Default

Originally Posted by jeffp1167
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.
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.
Reply
Old Apr 2, 2009 | 01:08 AM
  #19  
ekess744's Avatar
ekess744
Thread Starter
Pro
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 702
Likes: 0
Default

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?
Reply
Old Apr 2, 2009 | 01:18 AM
  #20  
jeffp1167's Avatar
jeffp1167
Safety Car
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 4,689
Likes: 4
From: Yucaipa CA
Default

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.
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:40 PM.

story-0
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-2
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE