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About to start reassembly. I’ve seen some gasket sets that include a seal for the front and back of the manifold base, and some that do not. I can’t find these seals individually. I recall reading that a bead of RTV is what is actually used, and that is what was on mine when I pulled it off.
my questions are:
1. is there a name for these seals so I ca do a more accurate search for them?
2. Has anyone used a sealant in place of them?
3. What material did any of you use?
thanks
If you mean the front and back sections on intake manifold and engine block seal then everybody uses RTV on those.
1. its called the China wall
2. everybody has and does
3. somekind of suitable RTV - I am sure Permatex has some good options, The Right Stuff maybe? I used some of their RTV years ago but cannot remember what it was, black in color I think.
Search on this on the forum and the internet, there is tons of discussion about it. And the dimples you are supposed to do on the walls before using the RTV.
Like @ToniH said, throw those china wall gaskets away. I did not dimple my block and due to a distributor problem I had intake backfires several times and the RIGHT STUFF held fine. Make sure you get the corners / ends of each wall where it meets the head packed with RTV. My description may not make sense but you can google "SBC 350 china wall RTV" and see what I mean. I also go up the side of the head 1/2" to make sure as well.
And most of all clean those ends with acetone really well, no leftover gasket either. This is also the perfect time (if your L98 is like mine) to replace that leaky oil switch at the back wall.
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Last edited by Vets-Vet; Jul 15, 2024 at 04:45 PM.
L98 manifold base seal
