Thread: Doing LIM and Valve Cover Gaskets

Nothing on the VC gaskets...just clean the crap out of the Covers when you take them off. As for the LIM gaskets...get some GM sealer IMO...white stuff if I remember right...yup...if you plan on modding Autolite 104's and a 180* T-Stat are good mods...so are a set of new stock wires

It isn't hard to do...just make sure you take your time and have another car incase you have to take a trip back to the auto parts store lol

I used nothing on the VC gaskets. Just make sure the channels and surfaces are clean and install dry. For the joints where all the LIM gaskets meet, use RTV. Put some above and below the joints. I've done it twice now that way and it's just fine.

Originally Posted by Sabrewings

I used nothing on the VC gaskets. Just make sure the channels and surfaces are clean and install dry. For the joints where all the LIM gaskets meet, use RTV. Put some above and below the joints. I've done it twice now that way and it's just fine.

Never thought about putting it on below...I just did some for a guy awhile back that had just bought a GTP and had no idea how to do it...I guess you do both sides just for extra reassurance?

Originally Posted by minichopper6hp

ive even used just rtv in place of those valley gaskets before with no problem lol

wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooow...

http://www.cpaclubgp.com/misc/lim-gasket.html

this is a really good video that details the entire thing if you need it.

Originally Posted by bluegtp91

Never thought about putting it on below...I just did some for a guy awhile back that had just bought a GTP and had no idea how to do it...I guess you do both sides just for extra reassurance?

Yeah to make sure it seals all the way around the joint, and not just one side. When I tore it back apart for the top swap all four pieces of gasket held together when I pulled them off the engine.

Originally Posted by minichopper6hp

ive even used just rtv in place of those valley gaskets before with no problem lol

You're kidding right? Seriously? You didn't use the valley gaskets at all???

I know when mocking up my machined LIM and IC years ago, I place it on with just the intake gaskets and no valley gaskets and I remember there being a good gap in those areas IIRC. Granted it wasn't bolted or torqued down, I don't see those gaps closing that easily honeslty. You had to of used a **** load of RTV to seal that up.... good luck if you ever have bad vacuum problems, check there first.

Some motors don't use those valley gaskets and you use RTV in place, like some SBCs. But I'd say they are needed on a 3800 Series 2 IMO.

Not trying to get on to you or anything man, but I don't see how you made that work. All I can say is good luck.....

Originally Posted by Sabrewings

Yeah to make sure it seals all the way around the joint, and not just one side. When I tore it back apart for the top swap all four pieces of gasket held together when I pulled them off the engine.

I've always done it the same way too. Dab some on the joints, place your intake gaskets and valley gaskets, and put on another dab and you're good to go. Both times i've removed my LIM since just like Sabrewings said, my intake gaskets and valley gaskets remained in one piece when pulled off. This method works real good.

As for the valve cover gaskets i've always cleaned them up in the channels and on the heads, and installed them dry. Works for me....

Originally Posted by minichopper6hp

eh not that much rtv actually. i use them currently though, you would be surprised what rtv can do...

LOL ain't that the truth! Especially that Permetex Right Stuff ****... ever use that stuff? Disassembly is a *****, let me tell ya! I once had to pull an SC off with a nylon strap and a cherrypicker, damn M90 and SSIC was stuck on there so good a pry bar and a cheater pipe with my 240 weight didn't do a damn thing! LOL.

Never ever use that **** on soemthing you may disassemble again, trust me! LOL!

Originally Posted by minichopper6hp

ive used it, was too cheap to buy the valve cover gaskets, ended up buying new valve covers the next time i had them off.

Hahaha, You know the power of the "Right Stuff" too!

I'll never use that stuff again... at least not on something thats mine or I like!