Are the latest GM LIM gaskets supposed to be installed dry?

so do we not know if the felpros newest and gm's newest gaskets are comparable yet?

I just had my second lim gasket change this past weekend. Used the new Fel Pro looks much better than the GM gasket. Gosh I hope this new one works.

you don't have the part number handy for that new felpro kit do you?

[drumking1721]

hey bringing this back up...any new comparisons on the two sets? im doing mine here in a couple weeks.

[dna_dan]

I don't know about the different sets, I just made my own. I used the orange Felpro for the heads, but the real problem is the end of the block. The typical rubber style seal has a tendency to squeeze out while torking down the manifold or it can also form a leak where it hits the head.

What I did was buy some hi temp fiber gasket material and cut out the shape of the end seal. I then bought some RTV. Now all RTV is not made the same, so ask the shop what's the hardest bonding type they have. The one I used was black, and once it cured it's a VERY tough seal, not very flexible like a silicone would be. Anyway, I put RTV around the water jackets, then laid the side pieces. I know the Felpro's are designed to be put on DRY, but since I was taking matters in my own hands, I figured why not. I then laid RTV across both end seals, laid my gasket, then another layer of RTV. I basically made a sandwich out of that stuff. I described this in another thread from about 2-3 years ago. I am still high and dry and running like a CHAMP! My LIM fix was done at ~80,000 miles and now I am sitting at ~140000 miles.

Effectively I think what I did by doing it this way was make a "thicker" gasket like the new ones are. When I dry fit my manifold on the block the gap was a LOT bigger than the gasket, thus my reasoning to make an RTV sandwich out of the damn thing!
Good luck, and watch that damn fuel rail o-ring. That baby set my job back a day because I could not find one locally. Special order only.

[stewartfn18]

I just did mine with the fel pro gaskets, 73,000 miles. well see how long they last. Did anyone else think this was a pain in the ass or is it just me because i dont have any patience. Hence why im not getting into the automotive field anymore.

[Shadowfaxgt1]

I did mine with the GM gasket (version 2) at 82k. All of the gaskets are to be installed dry except for the ends of the galley and a small bead to each corner of the gasket. I traded in my GA with 164k on it and still no leaks.
I've never used any sealant on IMGs but do use weather strip adhesive at a few choice points to hold the gasket in place when installing the intake manifold on a v-block. Done 100s in this fashion.

[timka86]

so what's the part # and where can I get the metal fel-pro gaskets?

[stewartfn18]

im not sure what the part number is but autozone sells the kit for like 80 bucks. comes with the o rings and rtv youll need.

[timka86]

Originally Posted by stewartfn18

im not sure what the part number is but autozone sells the kit for like 80 bucks. comes with the o rings and rtv youll need.

thanks, i'll check it out.