Tell me how you installed your B/RB valley pan/intake?

[b5blue]

  I saw some discussion over the years about "how to" for installing intakes on B/RB engines. Just how do YOU do it? Gaskets above and below the valley pan, no gaskets, just above or just below? What RTV do you like best? I'm swapping intakes this week and open for opinions. 

[71charger_fan]

I've never been able to get one to line up with the paper gaskets. I just use the pan with a thin layer of ultra copper permatex.

[BLK 68 R/T]

This has been in my experience a "no two are ever the same" issue. Depending on what kind of machining work has been done, intake brand, etc. I would start with just the valley pan, no sealant, set the intake you plan on using on the motor and look down the mounting holes. If the mounting hole in the head appears to be more towards the top on the intake hole then you could try adding a paper gasket and see if that helps to center the hole. If it lines up perfect with no paper gasket then you are good to go with just some RTV as mentioned. If one gasket is needed, I would put it on top of the valley pan between the intake and pan. If two are needed I would put one on the top and one on the bottom of the valley pan. Also go easy on the sealant, not much is needed just a light film on both surfaces. To much and it will just squeeze out into the intake runners and make a mess.

[69wannabe]

I have never been able to use the paper gaskets either, I use silicone on the front and back and I use that indian head shellac on the heads around the ports then bolt the pan in place then more of the sealer (shellac) on the pan around the ports them bolt the intake down.

[b5blue]

  Good advise taken. I'm test fitting first so mounted the valley pan by the end rails snug not tight and set the intake. Started all the bolts and ran them down while pressing down on the intake a few times until just snug and intake is seated. I checked the corners to see fitment and looked for gaps. Looking good with no gaskets.

[b5blue]

With everything fitting and no gaps I looked around for any alignment issues on the sides. Nothing looks high or too low so I think I'm good with no gaskets.   (The unpainted areas are the heads not valley pan.)

[BLK 68 R/T]

Looks like you are good to go 

[BSB67]

FWIW, When they leak, it always seem to be the underside.  Usually use feeler gauges to check.

[b5blue]

So if it leaks use a gasket under the pan? 

[BSB67]

I always use two gaskets per side plus the pan, but I machine for it. You can just go for it, or. Buy the thin (0.015") gaskets.

[b5blue]

  I found these: http://store.440source.com/Intake-Facing-gaskets-Set-of-4/productinfo/112-1005  Thanks for the tip BSB67! I found quite a bit of debate online in general before starting the topic.    I'll order a set of the .015 for a backup.
  I know to seal the threads of the intake mounting bolts also. I learned that from finding oil on the valley pan in the past.