So my engine is rebuilt and my vacuum is low. My idle hunts all over the place, when the idle gets bad my vacuum is at 5 ! So I'm think looking for a vacuum leak (can't dial in quadrajet idle). Getting close to running out of things to check. I'm saving the " remove and reinstall" the intake manifold as a last resort. But I'll cut to the question, I have a edelbrock performer intake with the EGR port and I have a block off plate. Tonight I was checking that to make sure it was sealed properly and when I took it off my (that gray fiber material) gasket I made was burnt through (not beyond the port but it's definatly not the right gasket material for the job). Anyone know what other years might lead me to an EGR gasket I could use with the block off plate or what material I should use to make a new gasket. I know if I go to my local parts store I'll only be told " there was no EGR on a 72 Olds 350 so we can't help you. I guess I should also ask the forum members if they think a leak at the EGR port would cause low vacuum and crappy idle.

Sorry about the long question, I suck at getting to the point.......

 

So ask for an EGR gasket for a 1973 Olds 350. 1973 and later cars had EGR.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by joe_padavano

So ask for an EGR gasket for a 1973 Olds 350. 1973 and later cars had EGR.

Joe,

As always you have the answers, your good, I wish you lived next door
Late last night I came to the same conclusion, after looking at Edelbrocks web site I realized that the 3711 intake was listed for 1972-1985 Olds 350's. I then proceeded to slap myself in the forehead and said "Duh". So this morning I stopped by my local NAPA and asked for a gasket for a 73 Olds 350 and they guy went and got one. In and out in 5 minutes without all the hassle of having him debate why I needed one for a 72 when his computer said it didn't exist. I'm learning.....

I hope this gets me one step closer to getting this thing running right. Really hope that I don't have a leak under the intake manifold. If I can ask one more question? Based on your experience if my intake had a leak under the manifold would I be sucking in any oil and see it in the exhaust? I didn't use the valley pan style gasket. And if I do have to pull off the intake what is the best gasket style and brand to use?

Joe, thanks again for the reply, your replies to others questions have help me with many things already.

 

Glad to help. A leak under the manifold will usually pull oil (and cause blue smoke), but not always. Personally I always use the FelPro metal turkey tray gasket, even on aftermarket aluminum intakes. The only time I've ever had one leak is when I tried to reuse one (with lots of RTV and against my better judgement).