pi intake confusion

[white 98 gt]

i' m confused about something: i did the intake swap a couple months ago, & it's started to leak on the passenger side. i read some other posts on here about the same problem, but some people say to use pi gaskets & some say to use npi gaskets. does it really matter? also, you're only supposed to seal the corner in the coolant passage, why not seal all around the coolant passage? could really use some info here. thanks guys.... :BangHead:

 

[Blk97GT]

A new set of OEM Ford NPI or FelPro gaskets is what you should use for the swap. If you notice in most cases people with a leak after the swap have used PI gaskets, thats your problem. Switch it out with the new NPI gaskets, a dab of RVT on the last intake port on the drivers side( I could be wrong on this location but I think thats the right spot) and you should be good. This is how I did it and have had no leaks, actually makes a very good seal.

 

[joekd]

When I did my PI intake I used PI gaskets and RTV, I had a leak almost immediatly but it was due to my stupidity (pinched the gasket and didnt notice) but when I went to buy new gaskets the store was out so I bought non-PI ones

Install was easier without having to RTV that whole corner and as far as I am concerned no loss in power since the ports match the head openings

 

[LI98GT]

I used NPI gaskets also as that was the way everyone was going back then, but it basically went 180 degrees with almost everyone doing PI gaskets from then on. I felt comfortable with the NPIs because it sealed better on the water ports and not well on the air ports - figured I could deal with an air intake leak easier as opposed to antifreeze if I'm far from home and had an issue. Having said that a lot of guys have used PI gaskets and didn't have an issue with the two small Dabs method. The NPI gaskets needs a line of RTV on the inside of the "V" to seal things up. I'll try and find a link or pic for you.

 

[JDwhite98gt]

I cant remember what gasket I used I think it was PI but it was a LONG time ago. Anyway, no matter what your gasket choice is, ALWAYS RTV the inside of the V. Dont go overboard with it but run a nice line along the the inside. That way you now you wont have any leaks. It's better to be safe than sorry

 

[greenscobie86]

You dont need to seal up the whole port, thats how you get leaks.

I just dabbed the RTV into the passage where you could clearly see that the gasket wasn't going to seal up properly.

I believe you seal the front port on right head, and the back port on the left head.

 

[white 98 gt]

i really appreciate all the responses guys, honestly. from what i'm reading, some of you put the rtv actually in the corner of the coolant port itself(?) all i did was put some rtv on top of the ports on the bend. maybe thats what i did wrong. it's not a massive leak, but enough to annoy me alot. can anyone relate to that? hehe. i love the intake, does well on my car. anyway, so some of you put rtv IN the ports?

 

[LI98GT]

The site I use to reference, the pics are no longer, but these might help illustrate what we are trying to say.

You can find pics at american muscle and the following photobucket link.

http://www.americanmuscle.com/pi-intake-install.html

http://s88.photobucket.com/albums/k166/RaceVids88/