rfpowerdude

Ok, what's the difference between the FelPro MS96015 and the MS96004? One is $27 and comes with RTV and the other is $34 and does not. They both come with the end rail rubber (throw away).

What is the difference?

Also, should I consider composite intake gaskets? This will cause some requirement to take material off the intake mating faces...

Fun71

The application data on RockAuto shows different year ranges for each with the break at the ‘72 to ‘73 range where EGR came into use. Maybe it has to do with the exhaust crossover for EGR vs non EGR?

As for composite gaskets, I have used many styles under aluminum intake manifolds with good results. I have also used the turkey tray with no issues. With the composite gaskets I found I needed to retorque the bolts periodically for several months due the cyclic heating / cooling and resulting progressive crushing of the gasket until things stabilized.

rfpowerdude

Possibly. However, they have the same ports and bolt holes. Upon further inspection of the pics, the MS96015 has a hole in the center bottom and the MS96004 does not. Not sure what this does.

joe_padavano

The difference between those two is the size of the opening for the exhaust crossover. The 1973-up heads have larger crossover ports, thus the difference in the gaskets.

rfpowerdude

Aha! Thx Joe.

Olds64

I've always used the FelPro MS96004. I think one time I bought the Mr. Gasket composite intake manifold gasket but I returned it. Good things if they require periodic retourquing.

rfpowerdude

Thx guys. I’ll put the intake in place without the gaskets and see how the bolt holes are centered (or not) and decide from there. I will likely go with the turkey tray.

83hurstguy

Is your crossover blocked in the head? Composite gaskets and the crossover don't play nice together if it's still functional.

rfpowerdude

It's blocked.

CANADIANOLDS

The MS96015 is for later style big EGR passages. Both are Turkey tray style. The 96004 can’t be used with later big EGR crossover because it won’t cover the top over the EGR , but the 96015 can be used with early and late.

here the late 96015 being used on an early 1970 head. The intake casting is the same height , so it will seal ok.

the other issue is it slightly hits the valley in two places and will need a couple hits for clearance.. only did this because the other one wasn’t available

rfpowerdude

Thanks for the pics! I'll just go with the earlier one since it is currently available.