edelbrock intake gasket question

[nac593]

I am using the 2101 manifold.7201 gaskets. It has 2 gaskets and 4 metal pieces that are shaped like the ports. The metal pieces have a hole in the center. What are the 4 metal pieces for? Thanks for any help.

[nac593]

Also, is the orange rtv silicone o.k? And for the fuel pump and water pump,
should I put any silicone on the gasket?

[piecesparts]

They are restrictor plates for the cooling water flow to the heads. Some small blocks were assembled with the restrictors in place on the gaskets and some were not. This allows for a controlled flow of water to the head and not robbing other parts of the engine. At this time, I have no motors with restrictors in my gaskets.


I NEVER use silicone on gaskets--I recommend something like Edelbrock's "Gasket Cinch" or even more available "Permatex" "Aviation Form a Gasket". It is a red gasket material and I have been using it for years, without any problems. The only thing that I would use a silscone based material on is the intake manifold ends (where the intake meets the bolck---use no gaskets here, only the silicone.

I started using a product from NAPA--called the "RIGHT STUFF" and it is impervious to oil and actually will stick to something that is slightly oily, so it is far better than silicone and is better in the long run.

[nac593]

Thanks for the help!

[kwmech]

The plates are for the center heat cross-over. Some applications required them for smog regulations. There should have been a piece of paper in with the gaskets that told which side they went on depending on the vehicle or whether or not they are supposed to be used----nothing to do with the coolant flow