Curious about reusing the valley pan metal gasket. I realize the raised impression may be smashed a bit, but if it is going on the same motor with same intake, and I put a smear of rtv around, why wouldn't it work? Pretty expensive part nowadays

 

Don't do it, you'll be sorry....I used to get them from Pep-Boys pretty cheap, you may try them.

 

No, no, no. This is a one-time-use item only. The raised beads crush to conform to the exact joint. No matter how careful you are, parts will never go back exactly the same way.

 

If you cut the side rails off of the turkey tray you could reuse the turkey tray with an aftermarket gasket, but not the side rails themselves. IMHO, just get a new turkey tray gasket, cut the turkey tray out and throw it away. I've never been able to get the whole turkey tray to seal properly.

 

Sorry, but this is where I'll have to point out that Olds literally built tens of millions of engines using the metal intake gasket that all sealed just fine (and that includes iron heads with iron intake, iron heads with aluminum intake, and aluminum heads with aluminum intake on the 215s). In half a century of working on these cars, I've never had a leak after reinstalling an intake with the metal gasket when following the instructions in the CSM. As I've said many times, dry fit the gasket first to ensure the four locating bosses fit into the holes in the heads. Use RTV as shown in the CSM.

 

Ditto what Joe said! I too have only used the metal turkey tray intake gasket and had no problems with getting a good seal.

 

In the years I've been coming to this site I've never read how Oldsmobile employees installed the turkey tray gasket. Was the iron intake manifold on a crane or jig, or did the line workers just muscle it onto the engine?

I've tried to use the turkey tray gasket in the past. Unfortunately, I've never succeeded. IMHO, this is the best way to install the intake manifold:

1. Cut the sides off of the turkey tray gasket
2. Throw away the turkey tray
3. Throw away the lifter valley end rail gaskets
4. Use Right Stuff gasket maker to seal the lifter valley end rails
5. RTV per the manufacturers instructions on the side rails

https://www.oreillyauto.com/shop/bra...inute/per/pery
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I have a bunch of these steel intake gaskets and they are probably worth less than today's shipping costs. I never re-use them. Put Permatex 3D (brush-on liquid) at the intake ports, and RTV at the water ports. Don't use RTV at the intake ports because gasoline turns it to slime.

 

If you're not gonna use the inner tray part, just get the separate 2 piece gaskets instead.

FEL-PRO MS99471
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...&pt=5424&jsn=8

 

Thanks for the link/part number.