should i use the gaskets that they sent me with my valley pan

[BigBlockSam]

hi guys

i bought a new valley pan for a 440 motor i'm rebuilding . it has two sets of gaskets with the pan 

every pan i've installed , i've installed alone with no gaskets . just a little silicone around the intake and exhaust ports . i've never had a problem . why did they include gaskets with it . 

[bobs66440]

Depending if the block was decked or the heads surfaced milled or whatever, you may need the gaskets to make sure the intake sits correctly. I had to use the valley pan and 2 thick (.030) gaskets on each side to get it right. Some don't need them at all. Some need the thin gaskets...or only one gasket each side. Some guys use sealant on the pan only like you did. Some warn against it...you get the idea.

If only a pan with sealant is what you had on there and you had no problems, then I would do the same.  

[nvrbdn]

i also had never used the gaskets, but when i checked with a few guys they said use em so i did. works great with em 

[Chryco Psycho]

I will usually use 1 set between the pan & heads if it doesn't make it to difficult to get the bolts started into the heads

[justcruisin]

I have used several without gaskets and no problems, but allways with cast heads and cast intake. I have just done a 440 with eddy rpm heads and manifold, I found the intake needed gaskets to get the spacing right so the ports would line up better. Aluminum also moves more with heat so I would recommend you use the gaskets if you have alloy heads or intake. The felpro kit comes with .030" gaskets, I found these too thick and made some out of .015" gasket paper rather that surface the intake. I believe 440 source sell the .015" gaskets.

[BigBlockSam]

thanks for the info guys . i ended up using them this time and it seemed to work out great 

i bought a new set of eddy heads . it says in the paperwork that you have to use the gaskets . 

[flyinlow]

I have used both stock and Eddy heads without. It always seams on a bind with the gaskets they give you. Have not tried the thin ones.

[charger2fast4u]

I'm about to replace my stock intake to and wondering the same question best way to do about it  replacing with a eddy rpm intake with stock heads I was going to try using a gasket on each side of the valley pan and silicon around the intake and exhaust ports. Should I put silicon around the ports on the valley pan and put the gaskets on  or just silicon the ports on the head  and intake andeave the valley pan dry of any silicon?

[Rolling_Thunder]

I always use them unless i use iron heads and an iron intake (only did that once)             I had a customer bring me an engine he had someone else build and it would drop cylinders 2 & 4 when she got hot...       So after a couple minutes of fiddling with it checking this and that I said "well...   she's coming apart" --  I pull off the intake and notice no gaskets...     put the gaskets on and never had a problem.  Engine had edelbrock heads and an eddy intake...     

[tan top]

  all what the other guys have said    

with stock iron heads & intake , just the valley tray with your favorite silicone sealer  
iron heads & aluminum intake sometimes one set of gaskets on the intake side of the valley tray sometimes not , depends on fitting of intake ! aluminum heads & intake yes , but check the alignment of bolt holes etc  same as with all head to intake !!

[Challenger340]

I've never used anything other than the Valley Pan, NO Gaskets, Iron or Aluminum Heads, never had a problem.

IMO,
Just silicon and the Valley Pan.

[charger2fast4u]

What's the torque specs for stock iron heads and a eddy rpm intake? Also any certain pattern I should tighten the bolts down? Like you would with tightening wheels in a star pattern

[Challenger340]

Start in the middle, work your way out in a circle....

If you were to think of the 8 Intake bolts in relation to the 8 cylinders, 3-4-6-5-1-2-8-7.

3/8NC Bolt, grade 5, is fine @ 30 ft/lbs. use some silicon on the threads. If you can't use a Torque Wrench for whatever reason, good and snug with a wrench is fine.

[bobs66440]

Edelbrock specifies 25 lb ft. Here is an instruction manual pdf.

http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive_new/misc/tech_center/install/2000/2191.pdf

[Challenger340]

Edelbrock specifies 25 lb ft. Here is an instruction manual pdf.

http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive_new/misc/tech_center/install/2000/2191.pdf

Even better !