We installed a Performer RPM intake manifold onto aluminum heads using ARP stainless bolts. I used a little bit of gasket sealer on each. I usually use antiseize on anything going into aluminum however I didnt think it would work as a sealer. Is there any problem with the approach we used, I dont want issues when we want to remove the manifold.

Mickeyt it's mark the guy you bought the block from , i use the arp sealer , it works as a anti seeze and a sealer . Make sure you do it .
Mark.

Hi Mark, thanks for the info, we are in the final stages of installation, hope to have it running in the next few days.

Using thread sealer is the right thing to do but using stainless into alumin, will cause a corrosion issue with fittings. Using the stainless washer and bolts as well as studs, I dont see a problem . Need to dab a little antisieze between washer and head and moly coat thread and nut for proper torquing.

Stainless steel and Alum. like to become one too easily. You might be alright with the sealer but I wouldn't chance it.

There is a specific reaction between SST and Aluminum. I forget what the technical term is, but over a long time it will cause corrosion. The last company I worked for we had to periodically salt spray our parts. Anything that had aluminum in contact with SST failed. I think salt water is actually the catalyst of the reaction, but to be safe I stay away from the combination. I have enough rust issues to worry about on the car already.

If you read the ARP sealer helps to stop the reaction .
Mark.

Thank Mark, learned something. In the oilfield we used stuff they call NeverSeize, hi nickel content paste to put stainless together. Guess that would be the same.

Stainless and aluminum in combination, are extremely high on the dissimilar metals chart. What this means is that, there is a great tendency for galvanic corrosion between them. The chart shows aluminum as a sacrificial anode to the stainless, not good. It would help to use anti-seize/sealer, but you'd be better off using chrome moly bolts in aluminum parts. That's what I used in my 540, so that I can sleep better at night. Remember, rust/corrosion never sleeps :-)

How about if the aluminum parts have steel thread inserts in them? Just a thought. Some intake bolts go straight into the valley and will leak oil onto your clean manifold if not sealed. ARP thread sealer is good stuff-better than using RTV. The best black RTV type sealer is Toyota pan sealant (fipig). Correctly applied to a clean surface it will never leak. The only drawback is that it is hard to remove when cured. It is available at Toyota dealers or WorldPac for you techs. Finally, if you are concerned about salt spray causing rust and corrosion, either don't drive in the winter, or do what I did-move out of the rust belt.(Kansas to south Texas)

If you just use the stuff ARP that they recomend you will be fine .
Mark.

That's it - galvanic reaction. Thanks. The company I worked for produced fire equipment products. So when it came to life and death the standards are pretty high. Any combination of aluminum and sst was avoided like the plague, again because it failed salt spray testing. I personally will not use the combination, call it piece of mind. But to each their own.