Head gasket "teeth"

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TylerW

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Hey guys.
First time having to R&R an intake. What is the purpose of the two small metal tabs or teeth on each end of the head gasket on the intake side? Hold the end seals down? Hold the intake gaskets up? None of the above?

Thanks...
 
On a Ford what you are describing is where the horizontal silicone rubber seal centers.

Post some photos.
What engine
What year
Etc
 
They were intended to fit thru two small holes in the front and rear cork/rubber end gaskets. To hold them in place.
 
I would love to see some picks. I need to pull my intake also in the near future.
 
Cork end gaskets have places for those tangs. So gaskets sort of hook together like puzzle pieces. I never use the cork end gaskets. The dowel pin holes nearly cut the cork in half. that is were it breaks and blows out. I remove the dowel pins and apply a bead of RTV. RTV in the pin hole becomes an anchor instead of a weak spot.
 
Yep, pull the locating pins on the china walls and use silicone on the ends and corners where everything meats in the corners. Torque the intake and let it set up at least overnight before running the engine.

100_5292.JPG
 
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Cork end gaskets have places for those tangs. So gaskets sort of hook together like puzzle pieces. I never use the cork end gaskets. The dowel pin holes nearly cut the cork in half. that is were it breaks and blows out. I remove the dowel pins and apply a bead of RTV. RTV in the pin hole becomes an anchor instead of a weak spot.
Except silicone hasn’t been around forever. It use to Permatex 1 or 2. Or Indian Head Shelac.
 
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