poor mpg/intake & carb problem

[p24-1953]

well i have been chasing a carb that drains out when sitting. i thought that mayby i just rebuilt the carb wrong. I also thought that the gasket on the carb were not sealing well, (had a constant vaccum of 12-14). i noticed that if i sprayed carb cleaner or start fluid at the base the idle would smooth out, so i cut new gaskets and reinstalled everything but the car still ran very poorly. i ended up callin "uncle" and took it in to a carb. shop and had them rebuild the carb. it turns out that i had one bad "well seal" in the carb but more importantly, they noticed that i have vacuum leak at the intake manifold. how hard is it to replace this gasket? This would cause the car to run rich? where can i get this gasket at?

[p24-1953]

Do you have to remove both intake and exhaust to change the gasket?

[Young Ed]

Yes you are better off to remove them in a pair. The 4 bolts that hold the two together like to break off and cause issues. If you need to seperate the two manifolds use lots of heat on the intake where the bolts are and pray they come out nicely.

[p24-1953]

so is this time to switch to dual? shoudl i replace the head gasket while im at it? it is 20+ years old

[greg g]

air leaks between the carb and manifold or manifold and block will lean the mixture, s more air is added after it is mixed in the carb. When you get your carb back, you might want to put sand the base. Put the sandpaper on a piece of glass to assure its flat, then just dress the bottom of the carb to take down any highspots which might affect a good seal.

If your head gasket is not showing as a poblem, I leave it alone.

[TodFitch]

so is this time to switch to dual? shoudl i replace the head gasket while im at it? it is 20+ years old

I don't see a reason to disturb the head gasket.

With respect to changing out the manifold to block gaskets, please note what others on this thread wrote. Keep the intake and exhaust bolted together and don't forget that impossible to see 13th nut under and behind the center of the manifolds.

Anding a bit more: If you do end up breaking the intake and exhaust manifolds apart then when you re-assemble things you need to leave the connection between the two loose until both manifolds are secured to the block. Otherwise things won't get lined up and sealed properly.

Also, check to see if the intake or exhaust manifold are warped. If they are then replacing the gasket will not fix the problem. Lay a straight edge along the block surface of the (still bolted together) manifolds. If you detect warpage then have a machine shop surface it for you. They should be able to do it as an assembly. I needed to do that to get rid of a exhaust leak.

[Plymouthy Adams]

replace the head gasket??...it is not related to the intake problem..don't fix anything that works...

[p24-1953]

work with me here folks...

Husband: well dear i have to replace the intake gasket.. its only 6 dollars

Wife: okay

husband: and while im at it i should replace the head gasket also. its only $25

Wife: okay

Husband: and while im at it i should proably mill the head to make sure its good and flat to seal well. it wont cost much to mill it down

Wife: Okay

Husband:And since i've got it off i should maybe install that new dual intake and exhaust..

Wife: how much is that

Husband: its. um.. um only mumff

Wife: what? How much? I dint understand you.

husband: honey the price isnt important , the forum says i should do it....

[Plymouthy Adams]

I am not an advocate of removing good material from a servicalbe head for the insigificant gain you will net for a daily driver on normal fuel in stop and go traffic...racing is one thing, RMA is yet another issue..give me RMA any day

[LAKOTA169]

About some of the manifold studs coming out with the nut. Some of the studs go into the water jacket, so it's a good idea to drain the block. I didn't know about this the first time and had coolant squirting all over.

[p24-1953]

What's RMA?

[Powerhouse]

work with me here folks...

Husband: Well dear i have to replace the intake gasket.. Its only 6 dollars

wife: Okay

husband: And while im at it i should replace the head gasket also. Its only $25

wife: Okay

husband: And while im at it i should proably mill the head to make sure its good and flat to seal well. It wont cost much to mill it down

wife: Okay

husband:and since i've got it off i should maybe install that new dual intake and exhaust..

Wife: How much is that

husband: Its. Um.. Um only mumff

wife: What? How much? I dint understand you.

Husband: Honey the price isnt important , the forum says i should do it....

hahahahahah! Puuuurfect!

[Young Ed]

You're reminding me of one of my favorite simpsons moments. Homer says to Marge:" Honey I'm not going to lie to you" and then he just leaves without saying anything

[Plymouthy Adams]

RMA

R= reliabiltiy (keep it stock, keep it running)

M= maintainabilty (getting a part froma local parts house not a specific modified supplier)

A= availabilty (the car is in good running condition if and when you decide to call upon

it to go somewhere)

[Cpt.Fred]

great dialogue, thanks for the morning laugh!

it's always funny (afterwards) in what situations technical enthusiasm can get you with your partner.

i remember the day my mom caught my dad in the kitchen using the oven to dry the heat resistant coating on his cylinder head...

or when i was caught using the casserole and oven cleaner on my timing chain...

sorry,btt

ps. higher beings command: install dual exhaust... *hypnotic drone*

Edited July 2, 2010 by Cpt.Fred

[Jim Saraceno]

so is this time to switch to dual?

Replacing the manifold gasket is usually not that big a project. I wouldn't leap into switching to duels just because you're already working in that area.

On the other hand, if you want to use that as an excuse because your itching to install duel carbs, I would say "Absolutely!";)

[p24-1953]

well in about 45 mins i got 11 of the bolts off. the last 2 i need to get a deep socket to get to them, wrench wont fit on them.

I had 2 studs back out, should i replace the studs that came out (the threads on one are are kinda boogered up at the end) and bolts while im here or just reuse the old ones some are starting to round off.

The studs and two longer bolts, do i need to place thread sealant on them prior to reinstall?

What torque do i need to retighten to?

Do i need to use a gasket sealer, in additon to the felpro gasket?

How in the heck am i supposed to get the last bolt off? i cant even get a wrench to fit on it because of the fire wall? do i need to come in from the bottom?