Valve cover and intake gaskets

[SmoothSteve3]

Do you guys ever use RTV or some other sealer on your valve covers or intake manifolds (in addition to the gaskets)?

 

I'm putting the upper half of my 3.1 back together tomorrow and just wanted to know what you guys do.

 

I know theres a spot where the lower manifold meets the block that needs some.

 

This is a pain in the ass. Hopefully I wont have to do this again for quite a while.

[Crazy K]

it is around a coolant port or an intake port? or???

[SmoothSteve3]

well...both I guess. Obviously some parts come in contact with each....but I was just wondering in general.

[19Cutlass94]

Yes. There are certain spots where you need RTV that the gaskets dont completely cover/seal.

[mfewtrail]

Use RTV on the valve covers where the corners meet the intake manifold(where the gaskets are pointed to fit that gap). On the lower intake manifold, use rtv on the corners(on each end of the lifter valley). I can post a reference picture for you if you want Steve. I have a spare 3.1 engine that I just disassembled earlier this week, so taking a picture wouldn't take me but a second. Use a very generous amount of rtv on the lower intake manifold corners or they will leak. I prefer to use "The Right Stuff" gasket maker on them, but the typical black(or other color) permatex rtv will work fine.

[SmoothSteve3]

Hey man, if you got a picture, that would be GREAT! I'm throwing everything back on today, so I'm just trying to make sure I have all my bases covered with the gaskets and sealing and such.

 

A question for anyone: our head gaskets do not require an additional sealant, correct?