Morning all...
We have a coolant spout from between manifold and head...right front corner. The gasket that's on the car appears to be made from what I'd call "normal" gasket material approx 2mm thick from what I can see. Maniflod is still on the engine but the gasket is visible between inlets.
The one I purchased is aluminium (Felpro part # FPMS96004). Comes with RTV sealant and rubber end seals.
Manifold has OLDS W 455 stamping on it.
Does it sound like I have the right part (box indicates that it's good for a number of Olds engines)? Whats the experience with aluminium Vs "normal" gaskets?
Cheers...Col

 

The valley pan or "turkey tray" as it's affectionately called is the normal intake "gasket" for a 455 Olds. I'm unsure about the W engines though.

 

Turkey Tray......I like that. Did a big of googling and that number seems to check out for 455s.
I'm pretty sure this isn't a W engine,...just a 455 that's had a bit of work.
Casting # 396021F, Number on oil filler tube 417620, "J" Heads, Carb # 7043251 is one I couldn't find anywhere. It is a Rochester Quadra Jet.
Wish somebody hadn't removed all the manuals in transit. The car has cruise control & I have no idea how to use it. That said it's probably as simple as flicking the switch on the dash and pressing the button on the indicator stalk when you want it activated or de-activated ???

 

The dash swich activates or de-activates the cruise, touching the brake pedal or stopping disengages it when the switch is on. You turn the switch on then press the button when you're at the speed you want. You can slow down by holding it and it will stay at the speed it's at when you release it. If you accelerate it will go back to the set speed afterwards. It doesn't have a resume type function like later ones to speed back up to the set speed after you slow down.
No owner's manual in the glove department?
My Vista Cruiser has cruiser-cruising-cruise-control.

Most guys use RTV instead of the rubber end seals for the intake manifold. The rubber ones squeeze out or split, fall into the valley.
Bend that turkey tray until it sits flat and in the locating holes without springing or twisting, a bear to get the RTV on right and set the manifold if the gasket is moving around or drags all the sealer off when you set the manifold.
I made that mistake the first time, the blood all over my nice clean newly rebuilt engine from the slash in my hand from the evil turkey tray edge distracted me. I think it took me longer to bend that turkey tray around to fit than it took me to put it back together.

Jive turkey tray.

 

I have tried a turkey tray and found them to be a waste of time and money. Get a set of
Felpro intake gaskets and rubber end seals. I know some recommend to not use the end seals but mine always leaked if I used silicone only. I use RTV on both sides of the end seals, bolt everything up and let it set for 24 hours before staring the eng.