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Vortec intake gasket question

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Gambitt

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I am putting my first set of vortec heads on an engine. I am just about ready to place the intake. The question I have is this...the gaskets I have are felpro, and they are just standard felt...should some type of sealer be used on these, or should I just toss them aside and buy a better gasket that requires no sealer? Thanks in advance for the help.

Gambitt
 
#3 ·
I used those gaskets on my 97 pickup with votecs before the new style gasket came out. that was 4 years ago and there have been no problems with it. I did use spray tach on both sides of the gasket on the felt ones. The new style gaskets are much better I think I would go with them now. I was unsure of the felt ones to but at the time I figured they could not possibly be any worse than the first facktory ones.
 
#4 ·
Gambit,
Are you sure the gaskets you have are for Vortec engines ? The original Vortec gaskets, both oem and Fel-Pro, were plastic with rubber inserts. The new Fel-Pro gasket, part number MS98000T is metal with a rubber coating and is really nice. I have never seen a "felt" vortec intake gasket ???
 
Discussion starter · #5 · (Edited)
Yeah, it's a vortec gasket. I ordered it from Jegs. I am not sure what type of material it is, it just looks like a thick dark grey paper type material. I would have preferred the fel-pro gasket with the rubber on it, but they didn't show it in their catalog. One more question about this setup...what type of spark plug should be used with the vortec heads?

I just looked that MS98000T gasket up. It runs like $79.00. I will use the $20.00 dollar gasket I have before I pay 79 for an intake gasket.
 
#6 ·
Gambitt,
The Vortec engines are known for intake leaks filling the engine full of water and killing it. That is why Fel-Pro came out with the new design gasket. Most shops I do work for will not put any other gasket, including the GM one, on those engines. Dont come crying when the $20 gasket kills your $$$$$ engine :(

You get what you pay for.
 
Discussion starter · #7 · (Edited)
Bill,

Yeah, I was afraid you would say something like that:) And I agree...you shouldn't skimp on a high dollar engine. I had heard good things about the GM gasket...I didn't know that it was having problems too...well, I might have to spend the extra bucks then...Thanks for the info...guess I can always take out a loan:)

Bill, I found one locally for $60.00, that's bad enough...but maybe I won't die now:)

Gambitt
 
#8 ·
I had a GM gasket fail on my '97 truck and it started leaking water. It didn't "kill it". I replaced it with another GM gasket about 80,000 miles ago and have not had a problem since. When they leak they tend to leak at the rear of the motor for what ever reason.

The $79 you quoted may be for the entire factory intake manifold gasket set. The factory intake on a Vortec engine is a two piece unit (thus multiple gaskets) and the whole set is a little pricey. Make sure you have the right part number. I would check with a GM dealer for the right part number.
 
#11 ·
Felpro #1255 is an old style felt gasket material gasket with the Vortec and standard bolt patterns.They are for the new Bowtie Vortecs with both bolt patterns.They are about twice as thick compared to standard gaskets.
 
#13 · (Edited)
#14 ·
got my new style fel-pro intake gaskets at advance auto parts for under $30.i can post part #s later.they are a good bit larger than stock intake ports,but they are the re-usable type.
Eric B
 
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#17 ·
the part i have is fel-pro #ms90131 got em for $23.64 with a 10%managers discount.i checked the ones billk is talking about and they are 80 bucks retail.i am curious about the benefits of the rubber coated gasket on a normally aspirated engine that sees 20 lbs. max pressure on either side (water or vaccum)?where was the flaw?could the plastic that supports the rubber seal be cracking?i am suprised fel-pro would release such a faulty product!
billk,do you have knowledge of any documented failures?
Eric B
 
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#18 ·
I believe GM owns the design deficiency. I run two Al head fast burn 350 in boat. GM sold me a re-designed gasket (after explaining problems associated with old gasket) which was released last summer. With issues like this I prefer the OEM, don't recall the price. I have had no leaks and as I "run uphill" all day I chose the cooler R42LTS plug which GM recommends for circle track racers.
 
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