SBF/BBF/FE Intake manifold gaskets

[Scott Harrison]

Posted here for reference:

Fel Pro admitted that its performance intake gaskets that are manufactured without a metal core such as the Print-o-seal, "were designed to allow engine builders to trim the gasket for exact fit on modified ports." and these gaskets "were designed and optimized for true race applications." (What they don't say is that they are not recommended for street applications.)

And..."for high-vacuum applications, Fel Pro's solid core intake gaskets are the preferred choice...with the strong steel core which prevents movement of the gasket into the intake port. This type of gasket is ideal for...long service life engines-such as those in street applications."

However, up to 2006, Fel Pro did not make a steel core intake gasket. Only last year did they start producing some for the SBF & BBF, and they still do not produce them for the FE, Boss, Cleveland or Modular motors or the small-port BB!

The new gasket numbers for the Windsor blocks are Q1250 S-3 (port size 1.20" x 2.00") and Q1262 S-3 (port size 1.28" x 2.10"); Q1253 S-2  & Q1253 S-3 (SVO/Yates head w/port size 1.35" x1.95) and Q1231 S-3 for the BB 429/460 engine with the 2.24" x 2.60" ports.

We spoke with several other gasket manufacturers, and most agreed with the need for a steel core intake gasket for the durability of street use.

Summit carries these with no image or description, and except for the 1253s, they do not show up if you do a normal part search. You will have to enter the actual Summit part number eg. FPP 1250 S-3.

Added 4/09:
Edelbrock's Intake gasket #7220 also has a steel core and fits the smaller 1.20" x 2.00" ports, Their #7219 fits the larger ports but I can't find any information confirming it has a steel core.

[Scott Harrison]

Added 6-15-09:

The Fel-Pro Print-O-Leaks having recently failed on my FE engine, I started researching for alternatives.
(A couple of years ago, when Vic's intake gaskets failed on his Keith Craft (2 x four barrel) FE, we found some Victor Reinz Nitro-Seal gaskets, these are steel core and graphite coated. But the Ports were undersize for a standard Medium Riser intake such as the Edelbrock 4V and Blue Thunder 2 x 4V. Vic sent them to George Anderson at Guessford Machine to have them cut to fit. The cost of that procedure and freight was more than the gasket price. So I wanted to see if I could find another alternative.)

Jim Harding had sourced some Victor Reinz gaskets from CarQuest. These look to be very promising. They are from their VR2000 series, steel core, teflon coated with 1.45" x 2.40" port sizes. The Car Quest part number is MS 15166X.

[Hot Rod]

Cool! Now get them on! 

[SchmidtAl]

Right on top of things there Vic... 

[Scott Harrison]

For the inquiring minds, here's the Fail-Pro Gasket...

[Ben Lambiotte]

Oooey gooey rich and chewy.  What a mess!

[Wade Chamberlain]

yuck...that looks familiar. 

[Jim Harding]

I wish I had taken a picture of my #5 intake runner......  looked identical to yours Scott, sucked right into the port.  The other ports were OK, just the number 5 failed.... and one is all you need to ruin your day 
Here's hoping you're as satisfied with the new gasket as I am with mine.

[GEE TEE]

Fail-Pro Print-O-Leak gaskets turned out to be the reason my car didn't make it to the Pig-Roast.  Got a new set of Fail-Pro steel core gaskets installed last week and problem solved.  In my case I didn't get any coolant leaking into the intake ports, but I did have vacuum leaks from intake ports into lifter valley which resulted in very lean conditions at idle and cruise in the number 1, 5, and 8 cylinders.  Note that Roush didn't bother to cut out unnecessary pieces of gasket in coolant ports.

[Scott Harrison]

CSX 4100 is back in Service...whoo hoo...made it to the Fathers day lunch/car show on Sunday.

[dcdoug]

Great to hear!

[Scott Harrison]

FelPro's FE steel core intake gasket part #1247-S3, has port sizes of 2.10" x 1.40" vs the Victor Reinz  2.40" x 1.45". The VR gaskets fit the FE ports better particularly if you have port-matched the heads and intake.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/FPP-1247S3/