Intake Gasket Removal

[Blue's owner]

I have a 65 mustang 289. I'm swapping the 2bbl carb and intake for a 4bbl carb and intake. I'm a 71 year old novice at this attempt. The first challenge was loosing and removal of the intake. The major hurdle is removing the old intake gaskets from the heads. Just short of dynamite, I tried different liquids made for that purpose and various scrapers. Does anyone have any ideas? Thanks..

 

[85ragtop]

Welcome to stangnet. I'll move this over to classic tech for you.

 

[dennis112]

I have a 65 mustang 289. I'm swapping the 2bbl carb and intake for a 4bbl carb and intake. I'm a 71 year old novice at this attempt. The first challenge was loosing and removal of the intake. The major hurdle is removing the old intake gaskets from the heads. Just short of dynamite, I tried different liquids made for that purpose and various scrapers. Does anyone have any ideas? Thanks..

Not a pleasant job . . . .

I scrape with hardware store type razor blades and then clean up with lacquer thinner followed by brake cleaner.

 

[Blue's owner]

Not a pleasant job . . . .

I scrape with hardware store type razor blades and then clean up with lacquer thinner followed by brake cleaner.

 

[Blue's owner]

Thanks I bought blades today.

 

[Blue's owner]

Thanks I bought blades today.

 

[zookeeper]

Just a little tip: when it comes time to re-install your intake, discard the cork end gaskets and use a thick bead (slightly wider than the end rail) of black RTV sealant. Let it sit for about 10 minutes until it "skins" over. Also, add a light coating of the black sealer around the water ports in the head (front and back) on both sides of the intake gasket. When it comes time to install the intake, cut the head off of 4 bolts, round off the end, thread into each corner of the cylinder head and use it as a guide to keep the gaskets in place. Then just unscrew the guides after you have a couple bolts in place.

 

[Blue's owner]

Just a little tip: when it comes time to re-install your intake, discard the cork end gaskets and use a thick bead (slightly wider than the end rail) of black RTV sealant. Let it sit for about 10 minutes until it "skins" over. Also, add a light coating of the black sealer around the water ports in the head (front and back) on both sides of the intake gasket. When it comes time to install the intake, cut the head off of 4 bolts, round off the end, thread into each corner of the cylinder head and use it as a guide to keep the gaskets in place. Then just unscrew the guides after you have a couple bolts in place.

OK. Thanks. Do you not put any sealer on the rest of the gasket front or back?

 

[Blue's owner]

Thanks. Don't you put sealer on the rest of the gasket?

 

[dennis112]

Zookeeper does the install the same as I do. I prefer to use "Right Stuff" in place of the end seals. (Just a personal choice.)

Only put sealant around the water ports (light amount.) The remainder of intake gaskets around the intake ports should be installed dry. The reasoning is that many of the sealants (especially silicone) are not impervious to gasoline and can dissolve over time.

 

[Blue's owner]

Thanks so much for all the tips. I'm glad I joined. You've been most helpful....

 

[zookeeper]

Thanks. Don't you put sealer on the rest of the gasket?

Nope, just a little around the water ports and nothing on the intake ports. My Dad used to use a spray sealer but I've always installed dry.