in the middle of installing this motor in my 85 gsl (12a), i've had to make some gaskets for the intake, the water pump, and now i need to replace the o rings, and possibly a gasket on the beehive oil cooler

what i have used is ultra black i think it is called. when i put the intake on, i re-used a gasket that appeared to be in good condition, and then put ultra black on as well. but when i added water to the rad, without any pressure (not running), the water was pissing right out past the gasket on the intake. my buddy says its because we did all this in cold weather (slightly above freezing).

the water pump seemed to be ok, although like i said i haven't run the engine yet

just turning over the engine trying to start it, oil started pissing out from under the beehive, and when i removed it, i found the o rings were dry and cracking. i have got some new o rings, but should i add some of the ultra black there too?

so do i need actual intake gaskets, or should i just try and re-use the ultra black, but do it in warmer weather?

any info will help. i've never had to deal with gaskets before really on my own

 

Dont cheap out,unless you like doing the same job over and over.....

Sometimes you can get away with reusing the intake gasket if it pops off cleanly or sticks to the block.But its really not worth the headache of vacuum leaks and water pissing everywhere.Did you replace the 2 intake manifold O-rings that go on the water passages between the intake ports?

Get new beehive o-rings,all 4 of them(Pretty sure theres 4 on the 83-85's)...no silicone ever, on captured rubber seals(except in rare circumstances like Honda valve covers)

Forget the permatex.No need for it,except maybe on the oilpan.If you absolutely insist of using it,just a THIN film on either side of the gasket.If you use new gaskets like you should,and clean the surfaces like you should,no silicone is required or recommended.....

 

If you are to use a gasket, I recommend using the gasket dressing. its like a brush on glue that will hold gasket and o-ring in place. With the intake manifold, be sure to use a gasket.


I use copper silicone gasket. A dab of silicone on the oil pedestal/bee-hive helps also.