Thread: 3.9v8 composite intake gasket not lining up

and yes I have tried fitting it the other way around lol
It seems that the end seals are the issue, because if I remove them then I can just get it aligned. Perhaps when it's bolted down properly it may get close to aligned.

did yours come prebent?

Ive had one, alledgedly part of a dodgy batch that was laminated backwards, wouldnt fit if I installed it the right way around but turning it "inside out" and it fit like a charm.

Looks fine to me, they look a bit like that until you actually clamp them with the end clamps. Just ensure that the front to rear alignment is right by inserting the third from front drivers side manifold bolt in a few threads to locate, and all will work out. I DO use a little loctite 515 or Wurth motor seal on either side of the ports and water galleries, and don't forget a small dob of RTV sealant where the ends of the rubber end seals fit down into each corner .

JC

yeah, it came pre bent. I'll see how it goes when it's all tightened up. I've got Loctite Copper Maxx. Is this suitable?

Thanks for the help, I don't want to get this part wrong.

Cheers

As someone posted some time ago, some of the end seals are a little too long and need a bit cut off the ends.
I did this with mine and used lots of sealant and it has stayed as tight as a drum .
Hope you havent shaved the heads or you may need to elongate the holes. Also when you drop the manifold on , the valley gasket will drop as it pushes down the lower edge..

When i replaced my head gaskets, i put the new ones on, located both the heads, on the studs, put the old manifold gasket on, dropped back in the manifold, only put four corner bolts in, carried out the first torque sequence, then i removed the manifold, and carried on torquing.

This way i was sure all the bolts on the manifold would line up, put hylomar around the water inlets / outlets & RTV on the clamps.

I had the same problem years ago, I took off composite gaskets and was supplied tin ones instead, I had problem with the manifold bolts not lining up ever so slightly. The heads sit on the block and make a "V" by putting the thinner tin gaskets on it made the "V" slightly narrower if you know what I mean, as the heads sit slightly lower. Then using the correct composites it made every thing line up. I reckon if too much was removed from skimming the heads it would have a similar effect