Intake replacement
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,940
Likes: 5
From: Chesapeake VA
I have pulled the intake on my 86' twice (once to swap to a TPIS big mouth, and a second time because the front driver's side water passage was leaking in to the oil pan (gasket breached). Both times I used the Right Stuff, and have not had issues. I was surprised how strong the bond on the rear china wall was when I fixed the coolant leak. I thought I forgot a bolt somewhere, but it was just the Right Stuff doing it's job.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 86
Likes: 1
From: Pinellas Park Florida
Right Stuff or Permatex ultra grey. The GM engine sealant is great too, but harder to put hands on. Thats what I use at the shop but I stock it. No problem recommending right stuff or ultra grey though.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 112
From: Michigan
I've never used the Right Stuff because of the horror stories I've herd taking it apart. I am sure it works great, just have never found a use that I'd not want to have a hard time taking it back apart or something I wouldn't be taking apart for a long time. I just RTV black for oil surfaces. I think good prep and letting the rtv cure is a big part of using any of the diff colors. For example a rear-end I won't fill until after it has cured.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
I used the RTV that came with the Fel-Pro gasket set. A lot of people use The Right Stuff because it cures faster. I let the RTV cure overnight (two different times) and never had a problem.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 51
From: Connecticut
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,735
Likes: 411
From: WV
The Right Stuff is the only sealant I use for the China walls on our engines...It's stronger, holds better, and cures faster, then RTV ever has..One reason The Right Stuff holds better and doesn't eventually leak is because it's a rubber compound, not a silicone compound...Also the info is not true about it being hard to remove the intake once this sealant is used, you just have to know how to do it....All you have to do to remove the intake quickly is insert a thin blade between the front of the intake and the China wall , then run it across the front of the intake breaking the seal , then lift the intake up and off..Once the front is loose, the back of the intake pulls loose easily.....Takes me less then 2 minites to get the intake off when using this method...RTV has been used for years and many still like using it, RTV works fine, but in my opinion The Right Stuff is a superior product for this application.....
...WW
.
.
.
.
.
...WW.
.
.
.
.
Last edited by WW7; May 22, 2015 at 07:24 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,107
Likes: 171
From: Dublin CA
It has not been mentioned here, but many of use will take a center punch and dimple the china wall. Just like you were center punching a piece of metal for drilling. The dimples give the sealant something to hold onto. I have dimpled both the china walls and the mating side of the intake. Works great.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 416
Likes: 3
I wouldn't waste my time dimpling the block and intake.
Use just about any RTV, clean the surfaces with brake cleaner, next time you take the intake off and clean the area for new rtv you'll see how the old stuff stuck very well to the smooth surfaces.
The right stuff is no better IMO, might be a tougher material but a tougher material is not needed in that area.
Ask 100 people, get 100 different answers. Doesn't help much.
Use just about any RTV, clean the surfaces with brake cleaner, next time you take the intake off and clean the area for new rtv you'll see how the old stuff stuck very well to the smooth surfaces.
The right stuff is no better IMO, might be a tougher material but a tougher material is not needed in that area.
Ask 100 people, get 100 different answers. Doesn't help much.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,735
Likes: 411
From: WV
:
You can't use "just about any RTV" to seal the intake, there are RTVs that are resistant to oil and heat, and many that are not...You have to use the right product for the job..And yes dimpling the intake and China walls does help stop the sealant from sliding out and causing an oil leak. This doesn't have to be done on a street car, but it doesn't hurt either , and it gives the sealant a place to grip..Some racers even go so far as to drill shallow 1/8" holes the length of the China wall and intake to give the sealant an anchor point, I've even done this on my motor.. .Everyone above is just trying to give this guy suggestions that will give him the best chance of performing a leak free installation..It's up to him which method he wants to use, but the info above is all valid.....Well , except for the suggestion to use a gasket in the second post...
...WW
I wouldn't waste my time dimpling the block and intake.
Use just about any RTV, clean the surfaces with brake cleaner, next time you take the intake off and clean the area for new rtv you'll see how the old stuff stuck very well to the smooth surfaces.
The right stuff is no better IMO, might be a tougher material but a tougher material is not needed in that area.
Ask 100 people, get 100 different answers. Doesn't help much.
Use just about any RTV, clean the surfaces with brake cleaner, next time you take the intake off and clean the area for new rtv you'll see how the old stuff stuck very well to the smooth surfaces.
The right stuff is no better IMO, might be a tougher material but a tougher material is not needed in that area.
Ask 100 people, get 100 different answers. Doesn't help much.
...WW
Last edited by WW7; May 22, 2015 at 07:25 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 5,761
Likes: 47
From: munising MI USA
correct answer. Just last year I put a locker in the front of my jeep and sealed it with blue silicone and within a week had a bad leak. Talked to my buddy whos a mechanic and he said that blue or clear silicone will break down with petroleum products. He said to use the ultra black. I did and it hasn't leaked a drop since
:
You can't use "just about any RTV" to seal the intake, there are RTVs that are resistant to oil and heat, and many that are not...You have to use the right product for the job..And yes dimpling the intake and China walls does help stop the sealant from sliding out and causing an oil leak. This doesn't have to be done on a street car, but it doesn't hurt, and it gives the sealant a place to grip..Some racers even go so far as to drill shallow 1/8" holes the length of the China wall and intake to give the sealant an anchor point, I've even done this on my motor.. .Everyone above is just trying to give this guy suggestions that will give him the best chance of performing a leak free installation..It's up to him which method he wants to use, but the info above is all valid.....Well , except for the suggestion to use a gasket in the second post... ...WW
You can't use "just about any RTV" to seal the intake, there are RTVs that are resistant to oil and heat, and many that are not...You have to use the right product for the job..And yes dimpling the intake and China walls does help stop the sealant from sliding out and causing an oil leak. This doesn't have to be done on a street car, but it doesn't hurt, and it gives the sealant a place to grip..Some racers even go so far as to drill shallow 1/8" holes the length of the China wall and intake to give the sealant an anchor point, I've even done this on my motor.. .Everyone above is just trying to give this guy suggestions that will give him the best chance of performing a leak free installation..It's up to him which method he wants to use, but the info above is all valid.....Well , except for the suggestion to use a gasket in the second post...
...WW
Racer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 416
Likes: 3
I used clear bathroom silicone once when I was a kid. Didn't leak.
I've used Ultra Black for the past several years on almost everything. Differential cover, used ultra black, put oil right in, never leaked. Took the cover off several months later and it was still uncured in the center of the bead.
I've used the right stuff in the wrong application before....can you believe that. I hope I still have the email from them.
The only time I ever had a problem with a leak there is when using the rubber gaskets. The last LT1 gasket set I bought came with a tube of some RTV I don't remember, I used ultra black.
I've used Ultra Black for the past several years on almost everything. Differential cover, used ultra black, put oil right in, never leaked. Took the cover off several months later and it was still uncured in the center of the bead.
I've used the right stuff in the wrong application before....can you believe that. I hope I still have the email from them.
The only time I ever had a problem with a leak there is when using the rubber gaskets. The last LT1 gasket set I bought came with a tube of some RTV I don't remember, I used ultra black.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 51
From: Connecticut