Hi! I haven't removed the intake manifold ony 72 350 yet but I am taking a trip this weekend to get the gasket. Can anyone tell me what type of intake gasket I need? I have seen a smallish set and another that looks like a larger one piece set. Am i able to use either one or whatever the car came with? Thanks!

 

The smaller set (4 piece) is used if you have a drip tray at the bottom of the lifter galley. The large pan (turkey tray) is used if you do not have the tray. You do not have the tray.

 

Eric, OK, so if I replace it I would need the large turkey pan gasket. Also, Since the only reason I'd be removing the intake is to clean it really well and to replace the gasket- Is there any real need to remove the intake and replace the gasket? Is it a metal gasket? Do these gaskets normally go bad? Just don't want to remove the intake just to replace a gasket if there is a chance that a new gasket wouldn't be as good... Thoughts?
Thanks!
Chris

 

Make sure to get the one for the early heads, the 73 and later had a larger center exhaust crossover port.

 

They last just fine especially with an iron intake. It is a good idea to remove any sludge that accumulates under it. It needs RTV around the water ports and where the rubber seals meet the metal gasket. Or just use good tall beads of RTV in place of the end seals. Be aware if you are replacing head gaskets, your compression will be .25 lower due to thicker head gaskets.

 

If the engine is running well, with no indication of an intake gasket leak, and all you want to do is clean the intake for cosmetic reasons, I wold not remove the intake.

 

If the are under the valve covers is free from sludge then in most cases the area under the intake is also. As Kenneth stated above, no need to remove the intake to clean and paint if there are no vacuum leaks and the front and rear seals are fine. Just clean and paint.

There is no difference in quality between the one installed currently and the new ones that are available today.

 

Ok thank you. You guys mentioned that if under the valve covers is free of sludge then i should be clean enough to leave the intake on. Could I send a photo of under my valve covers and let me know what you think? To me it looked pretty clean. I can still see the paint marks on the springs and they are original.
Thanks
Chris

 

Just post pics on here.

 

Olds cutlass heres some pics of the tops of the heads under the valve covers. What are your thoughts about whether or not i need to remove the intake to change the gasket?
Thanks!
Chris.

 

And another

 

Heres another

 

Last one

 

Looks very clean. Has that engine not run in a while?

 

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

- Eric

 

The engine hasnt run since probably 2012 when i started taking the car apart. Ran well then. One thing i am concernd about though is that one side looks a littl cleaner than the other, should i be concerned?

 

Of the rocker arms? No.

- Eric

 

I mean the head with the pcv valve looks dirtier. Could the valve have been bad? The head with the breather looks clean.

 

No concern there. That is normal as one side has fresh air coming in from the outside, the other side has all the engine blowby going across it then through the PCV valve.

 

No sludge, just carbon deposits

 

Ok, thanks Fun71! I shouldn't speak too soon, but this is going pretty well so far, especially with all your guys help!
Chris

 

Now you did it....

 

Lol! (Other Eric), I have a theory that if i don't say it out loud then it wont work against me! So unless you read my post out loud im okay lol.
Chris

 

Ruh roooo