SR gurus step inside
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,856
Likes: 187
From: Earth
SR gurus step inside
I searched and didn't find anything so... started tearing apart my SR today as I suspect I have a vac. Leak somewhere so I'm going to use new gaskets (felpro) and a black silicone also this time as last time I only used the gaskets. Anyone else used both?
I also have a small oil leak which I thought was from the back of the intake so I was goin to pull that also till I found the dist. Hold down bolt was pretty loose. Is it possible the oil can come from the distrubutor hole on intake?
Last question is can you get the egr valve off without taking the fuel rail off with the SR? I got one loose but can't get on the drivers side nut.
If its possible the oil is from the dist. Then I'm not takin the intake off.
Thanks in advance
I also have a small oil leak which I thought was from the back of the intake so I was goin to pull that also till I found the dist. Hold down bolt was pretty loose. Is it possible the oil can come from the distrubutor hole on intake?
Last question is can you get the egr valve off without taking the fuel rail off with the SR? I got one loose but can't get on the drivers side nut.
If its possible the oil is from the dist. Then I'm not takin the intake off.
Thanks in advance
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,518
Likes: 19
I searched and didn't find anything so... started tearing apart my SR today as I suspect I have a vac. Leak somewhere so I'm going to use new gaskets (felpro) and a black silicone also this time as last time I only used the gaskets. Anyone else used both?
I also have a small oil leak which I thought was from the back of the intake so I was goin to pull that also till I found the dist. Hold down bolt was pretty loose. Is it possible the oil can come from the distrubutor hole on intake? Yes
Last question is can you get the egr valve off without taking the fuel rail off with the SR? I got one loose but can't get on the drivers side nut. With the plenum off, and an open end wrench, yes. If its possible the oil is from the dist. Then I'm not takin the intake off.
Thanks in advance
I also have a small oil leak which I thought was from the back of the intake so I was goin to pull that also till I found the dist. Hold down bolt was pretty loose. Is it possible the oil can come from the distrubutor hole on intake? Yes
Last question is can you get the egr valve off without taking the fuel rail off with the SR? I got one loose but can't get on the drivers side nut. With the plenum off, and an open end wrench, yes. If its possible the oil is from the dist. Then I'm not takin the intake off.
Thanks in advance
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,141
Likes: 76
From: Santa Maria, CA
When I encountered the dreaded vacuum leak on my SR it was on the bottom runner gasket. I used a thin film of RTV to seal the bottom gaskets. First I applied the RTV to the intake manifold side of the gasket, installed the runners and torqued to 20 lb. After 24 hours, I removed the runners applied RTV to the runner side of the gasket and permanently installed the runners. I use white lithium grease on the upper runner gaskets, throttle body and plenum lid. I've never had a leak with those. I've pulled the plenum several times and reused the gaskets with fresh grease. No problems.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,856
Likes: 187
From: Earth
I hate to take the intake off if I don't need to but I'm not sure about my lil leak.
Pete K: did you use an offset wrench to get the egr bolts? I have a open end about 6" long and can't get on it..bad design as far as I'm concerned! There is no room with the fuel rails
Cumbercr: thanks for the info. I think ill go with your method. What rtv stuff did you use? My stuff is black.
Pete K: did you use an offset wrench to get the egr bolts? I have a open end about 6" long and can't get on it..bad design as far as I'm concerned! There is no room with the fuel rails
Cumbercr: thanks for the info. I think ill go with your method. What rtv stuff did you use? My stuff is black.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,700
Likes: 1,667
From: moraga ca
On my SuperRam, I siliconed the runner gaskets on one side to the intake, and also to the upper runner platform. On the opposite sides, I use white lithium grease. I have had the same set of gaskets for years and have taken the intake on and off dozens of times with no vacuum leak.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,856
Likes: 187
From: Earth
When you had your vac leak was the idle all over the place? Rarely does my car idle at specific rpm. I'm constantly touching the gas to keep it from falling on its face which is embrassing at times but it does sound good 
Also not fun to drive when in town when I'm battling all 3 pedals!
Also not fun to drive when in town when I'm battling all 3 pedals!
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,700
Likes: 1,667
From: moraga ca
Maybe it's not a vacuum leak. You may be too lean or rich at idle which would cause an erratic rpm. Hook up a wideband. If it wants to die, try opening up the throttle blade adjustment or raising the base idle on your program. With your cam, you may need to idle at a higher rpm.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,141
Likes: 76
From: Santa Maria, CA
I hate to take the intake off if I don't need to but I'm not sure about my lil leak.
Pete K: did you use an offset wrench to get the egr bolts? I have a open end about 6" long and can't get on it..bad design as far as I'm concerned! There is no room with the fuel rails
Cumbercr: thanks for the info. I think ill go with your method. What rtv stuff did you use? My stuff is black.
Pete K: did you use an offset wrench to get the egr bolts? I have a open end about 6" long and can't get on it..bad design as far as I'm concerned! There is no room with the fuel rails
Cumbercr: thanks for the info. I think ill go with your method. What rtv stuff did you use? My stuff is black.
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Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,700
Likes: 1,667
From: moraga ca
For finding a leak, years ago I made an aluminum plate with a cork gasket that fit in place of the throttle body with a barbed hose fitting for a 3/8" hose. This was bolted in place of the throttle body, the valves were backed off and the upper motor became a closed system. Vacuum could be applied to see if vacuum held. If not, smoke or air could be used to slightly pressurize the upper motor with soapy water to detect the leak.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,856
Likes: 187
From: Earth
Access to a smoke machine is pretty costly around here. I'm sure it would help but don't wanna pay the money.
I don't know the first thing about tuning or wideband. I use the chip I was given from LPE. The car does run rich but I have had it on machines at idle to try to fig. Out the problem but it didn't work. This was done at chevy garages. Sometimes the car does idle but it few and far between. I still haven't decide if I'm goin to pull the intake. I'm busy the next couple days so I have time to think about it.
I don't know the first thing about tuning or wideband. I use the chip I was given from LPE. The car does run rich but I have had it on machines at idle to try to fig. Out the problem but it didn't work. This was done at chevy garages. Sometimes the car does idle but it few and far between. I still haven't decide if I'm goin to pull the intake. I'm busy the next couple days so I have time to think about it.
