Intake Bolt Sealer Recommendations

[Rick S.]

My small block L-79 was rebuilt a year ago and I am now getting pooling of small amounts of oil on my intake manifold at two bolt locations. I am looking for recommendations for a sealant.
Rick

[Joe L.]

Re: Intake Bolt Sealer Recommendations

My small block L-79 was rebuilt a year ago and I am now getting pooling of small amounts of oil on my intake manifold at two bolt locations. I am looking for recommendations for a sealant.
Rick

Rick-----


Do you want to STOP the oil creep/puddling problem or just apply sealer to the bolts? If you want to stop the problem, do as follows:

1) SCRUPULOUSLY CLEAN the bolt threads (or, use new bolts);

2) SCRUPULOUSLY CLEAN the threaded bolt holes in the heads;

3) Apply Permatex non-hardening sealer to the threads of the SCRUPULOUSLY CLEAN BOLTS;

4) re-install the bolts in the SCRUPULOUSLY CLEAN bolt holes and torque to 30 lb/ft;

Of course, you only need to do this treatment for the holes that go through to the lifter valley.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Intake Bolt Sealer Recommendations

I've always used Permatex on all my intake manifold bolts, even those that go into blind tapped holes. I don't like the oil puddles, but then you oil your air filter element very carefully and squeeze it out good, and guess what? You get an oily mess from it instead. That is, for no better reason, why I use a paper element for driving and foam for show only.

Stu Fox

[Joe L.]

Re: Intake Bolt Sealer Recommendations

I've always used Permatex on all my intake manifold bolts, even those that go into blind tapped holes. I don't like the oil puddles, but then you oil your air filter element very carefully and squeeze it out good, and guess what? You get an oily mess from it instead. That is, for no better reason, why I use a paper element for driving and foam for show only.

Stu Fox

Stu-----


You certainly can use the sealer on all manifold bolts. The only problem is that it makes for more difficult cleanup when you remove and re-install the manifold and bolts and the sealer doesn't do much for you in the non-through bolt holes.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Intake Bolt Sealer Recommendations

Joe:

You ol insomniac you! Figured I'd get a rise out of you. I see your postings from about 1 am until now gives me pause to think of a version of that old National Guard motto; "Sleep well tonight, fellow NCRS members, your Ol Joe Lucia is awake".

Have a great day - and, oh ya, get some sleep. A number of us early risers will take the watch.

Stu Fox

[Dick W.]

Re: Intake Bolt Sealer Recommendations

Another good product is Loctite Pipe Sealer With Teflon (PST). Permatex also markets this product. It seals as well as lubricates

[Joe L.]

Re: Intake Bolt Sealer Recommendations

Joe:

You ol insomniac you! Figured I'd get a rise out of you. I see your postings from about 1 am until now gives me pause to think of a version of that old National Guard motto; "Sleep well tonight, fellow NCRS members, your Ol Joe Lucia is awake".

Have a great day - and, oh ya, get some sleep. A number of us early risers will take the watch.

Stu Fox

Stu-----


I was out talking Corvettes (and a few other subjects) with Ken Carter in Livermore today from about 11:30 AM until about 8:00 PM. When I got home about 9:00 PM I was so "hyped up" I could not get to sleep. You'd think I'd be ready to hit the bed as soon as I got home but, for some reason, I couldn't.

[Joe L.]

Re: Intake Bolt Sealer Recommendations

Another good product is Loctite Pipe Sealer With Teflon (PST). Permatex also markets this product. It seals as well as lubricates

Dick-----


DEFINITELY good stuff for NPT fittings as well as plain old bolts that need sealing. This has been one of my "mainstays" for years. In fact, if it hadn't been 4 o'clock in the morning, I might have remembered to recommend it. However, one thing about using this stuff is that it's even more important that the threads be scrupulously clean for it to work its best.

If one can't find it in auto parts stores (and most have it now), it's also available from GM under GM #12346004. It's about 23 bucks a tube, GM list, though.