Dumb Gasket Question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

bluec10 · 04-09-2005, 11:56 PM

I dropped a new engine into my '76 about a year ago. The other day I was reading an article about carbs in one of the magazines where they pictured the installation. Go figure - they used gaskets and I don't remember using any. I just put that heat spacer on top of the manifold and bolted the carb on top of it. The truck seems to rune fine. Is this a big deal?

Russell · 04-10-2005, 01:50 AM

Get both the spacer and the carb a gasket and watch your engine's performance and gas milage increase hugely. You must have an enormous vac leak there...

bluec10 · 04-10-2005, 07:29 PM

I thought so. Can I use RTV, or do you recommend the original gasket?

Jonboy · 04-10-2005, 07:46 PM

I would try an original one. You should be able to find them at most part stores.

Paso76GMCstepper · 04-10-2005, 10:57 PM

I would get the gaskets they're dirt cheap and your truck "should" run better with them.

jimfulco · 04-11-2005, 01:21 AM

If it's the thick (1/4" or so) gasket, be sure it has hard plastic doughnuts around each bolt hole. These are to keep you from overtightening & warping the carb base. Cheaper gaskets don't have them.

badone07 · 04-11-2005, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimfulco

If it's the thick (1/4" or so) gasket, be sure it has hard plastic doughnuts around each bolt hole. These are to keep you from overtightening & warping the carb base. Cheaper gaskets don't have them.

Yes he's right. Also don't use RTV. Permatex #2 or indian head if you have to use anything. But you really shouldn't have to.

jimfulco · 04-12-2005, 01:39 AM

I always use a coat of Permatex liquid (Super 300 or Aviation) on my carb gasket, even though you don't really need it. It keeps the gasket intact (no peeling) if you have to remove it, & you can usually re-use the gasket. This is handy for unexpected side-of-the-road repairs, or if you're terminally cheap, like me.

bluec10 · 04-12-2005, 10:04 AM

This thread reveals my ignorance about carb gaskets. I currently have the thick (1/4") gasket installed. It has the little plastic grommets in the corners. I was wondering if this thing was the gasket, or is it just a heat insulator. From everyone's comments I gather that this thing is the gasket and I don't need to do any additional sealing on the top or bottom of it.

04-09-2005, 11:56 PM	#1
bluec10 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Manitoba, Canada Posts: 663	Dumb Gasket Question I dropped a new engine into my '76 about a year ago. The other day I was reading an article about carbs in one of the magazines where they pictured the installation. Go figure - they used gaskets and I don't remember using any. I just put that heat spacer on top of the manifold and bolted the carb on top of it. The truck seems to rune fine. Is this a big deal? __________________ Present: 2015 Tacoma. Yeah, not a GM, but I love it. 1969 GMC 32,000 - fix, drive, relax, fix... 2019 BMW R1250 GSA - Yahoooooooo 1979 Honda GL 1000 - retro touring at its best. Past: '05 Sierra 4x4 - Had 270,000 KM and running well when it was written-off by a stop sign runner. '94 F-150 from the "F word" company. I'll admit it...good truck. Sold what was left of it for $800 to a guy who came to pick it up at 11:00 PM with cash in hand. Hmm. '79 Sierra Grande (Black) organ donor - perfect rebuildable 4-bolt 350 and a good TH350. '76 Sierra Grande (Orange) - hate isn't too strong a word. Kid who bought it turned it into a hot rod. '68 C-10 R.I.P. - Dad's old truck...too far gone to resurrect. '59 C-50 - with hoist. Truck is gone, wife isn't. Nuff said.

04-10-2005, 07:29 PM	#3
bluec10 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Manitoba, Canada Posts: 663	I thought so. Can I use RTV, or do you recommend the original gasket? __________________ Present: 2015 Tacoma. Yeah, not a GM, but I love it. 1969 GMC 32,000 - fix, drive, relax, fix... 2019 BMW R1250 GSA - Yahoooooooo 1979 Honda GL 1000 - retro touring at its best. Past: '05 Sierra 4x4 - Had 270,000 KM and running well when it was written-off by a stop sign runner. '94 F-150 from the "F word" company. I'll admit it...good truck. Sold what was left of it for $800 to a guy who came to pick it up at 11:00 PM with cash in hand. Hmm. '79 Sierra Grande (Black) organ donor - perfect rebuildable 4-bolt 350 and a good TH350. '76 Sierra Grande (Orange) - hate isn't too strong a word. Kid who bought it turned it into a hot rod. '68 C-10 R.I.P. - Dad's old truck...too far gone to resurrect. '59 C-50 - with hoist. Truck is gone, wife isn't. Nuff said.

04-10-2005, 07:46 PM	#4
Jonboy Slots go on anything! Join Date: May 2003 Location: Richardson, TX Posts: 5,957	I would try an original one. You should be able to find them at most part stores. __________________ 1974 Jimmy- 5.3/4L80e/NP241

04-10-2005, 10:57 PM	#5
Paso76GMCstepper Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Paso Robles, CA Posts: 347	I would get the gaskets they're dirt cheap and your truck "should" run better with them. __________________ Tony "Life is a Team Sport" To the memory of the Hendrick Motorsports Plane Crash Victims

04-12-2005, 10:04 AM	#9
bluec10 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Manitoba, Canada Posts: 663	This thread reveals my ignorance about carb gaskets. I currently have the thick (1/4") gasket installed. It has the little plastic grommets in the corners. I was wondering if this thing was the gasket, or is it just a heat insulator. From everyone's comments I gather that this thing is the gasket and I don't need to do any additional sealing on the top or bottom of it. __________________ Present: 2015 Tacoma. Yeah, not a GM, but I love it. 1969 GMC 32,000 - fix, drive, relax, fix... 2019 BMW R1250 GSA - Yahoooooooo 1979 Honda GL 1000 - retro touring at its best. Past: '05 Sierra 4x4 - Had 270,000 KM and running well when it was written-off by a stop sign runner. '94 F-150 from the "F word" company. I'll admit it...good truck. Sold what was left of it for $800 to a guy who came to pick it up at 11:00 PM with cash in hand. Hmm. '79 Sierra Grande (Black) organ donor - perfect rebuildable 4-bolt 350 and a good TH350. '76 Sierra Grande (Orange) - hate isn't too strong a word. Kid who bought it turned it into a hot rod. '68 C-10 R.I.P. - Dad's old truck...too far gone to resurrect. '59 C-50 - with hoist. Truck is gone, wife isn't. Nuff said.

04-10-2005, 01:50 AM	#2
Russell Professional Grade Join Date: May 2003 Location: Fort McMurray, Alberta Posts: 7,915	Get both the spacer and the carb a gasket and watch your engine's performance and gas milage increase hugely. You must have an enormous vac leak there... __________________ 1995 Chevrolet 2 Door Tahoe (6.6L LBZ Duramax / ZF6 / NP241 with 1 ton solid axle swap)

04-11-2005, 01:21 AM	#6
jimfulco Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Shreveport LA Posts: 3,170	If it's the thick (1/4" or so) gasket, be sure it has hard plastic doughnuts around each bolt hole. These are to keep you from overtightening & warping the carb base. Cheaper gaskets don't have them.

04-12-2005, 01:39 AM	#8
jimfulco Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Shreveport LA Posts: 3,170	I always use a coat of Permatex liquid (Super 300 or Aviation) on my carb gasket, even though you don't really need it. It keeps the gasket intact (no peeling) if you have to remove it, & you can usually re-use the gasket. This is handy for unexpected side-of-the-road repairs, or if you're terminally cheap, like me.



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