Intake Manifold Wrestling Match - Help

[EdM]

I am replacing my intake manifold gaskets on my Q Code. Intake is an Offenhauser and it is not budging. The gasket appears to be of two layers, a thin metal sheet and a thin composite layer. Ends are RTV'd. Any tricks or suggestions to aid removal would be greatly appreciated.

 

[barnett468]

.

a 2 foot long crow bar or pry bar.

 

[judge]

Double check for missing bolts that might not have been removed. Check the hole spacing against a new gasket. Hate to break the manifold. Slow steady pressure has always worked for me.

 

[Totalled]

Send a knife through the silicone end rails. Then start prying with a long thin flatblade.... I had to do that to the 390 in my F-350... and that thing has some end rails.... And the valve covers were also siliconed on... FML....

 

[timachone]

Some gentle strokes with a rubber-headed hammer, then a pry bar.

Be careful because the Offenhauser is of aluminum - it is a very soft material...

Tim

 

[Bill73Ragtop]

Use thin bladed putty knife to break the seal between heads and intake (Gentle taps). Same with the ends. Gentle use of pry bar at intake corners.

 

[EdM]

Thanks gents. Will give it another whirl tomorrow.

 

[Don65Stang]

Good luck with it.

 

[EdM]

Disregard.

 

[Jeff73Mach1]

To answer your question. . . yes.

Aluminum valve covers will make removal very difficult as the clearances get tight with their larger flange. You might get away with just removing 1 valve cover.

If you don't want to pull the distributor (I would) you can pull the wires off one side and lay the cap over on the shock tower. I pull wires from the cap as I find it a bit easier

 

[EdM]

To answer your question. . . yes.

Aluminum valve covers will make removal very difficult as the clearances get tight with their larger flange. You might get away with just removing 1 valve cover.

If you don't want to pull the distributor (I would) you can pull the wires off one side and lay the cap over on the shock tower. I pull wires from the cap as I find it a bit easier

I pulled the distributor when I started. Valve covers are off and I have "popped" the manifold (still in place) though). Taking a razor to the end seals as best I could as recommended above did the trick. That RTV black is tough stuff.

Thanks again.