When I pulled the engine apart there was a modified valley pan intake gasket on the engine and a plate welded to the bottom of the intake manifold (see below). I'm assuming the intent of the plate is to somewhat insolate the intake manifold from heat. Anyway, I had the intake sandblasted and now I plan to remove the plate to ensure I get all the sand out of the intake. Does the plate provide any benefit? Should I have it welded back on once I'm done cleaning the intake? Thanks, Jim
Jim it keeps the hot oil off the bottom of the intake. You can have it welded back on or get lifter valley baffle from TA or AM&P makes one that completely covers the valley. Chris
Chris I'm still a little confused. Do you recommend me installing a valley pan gasket and composite intake gaskets per TA's catalog (below) and reattaching the plate to the bottom of the intake? Thanks, Jim
Composite gaskets yes.Factory valley pan no. You can reuse what you have whether you cut it off and reweld or attach with screws like John said. Me personally I would just take a dremel and make a couple small openings at the corners in front where the two side by side welds and make the bend upwards. The back of the pan appears to be open and there are gaps along the side plenty of room for it to be blown out.Then just rinse good with soapy water and slosh it around while doing so. Chris
I guess if you followed the TA recommendation to trim an old valley pan, you could 86 that bit on the manifold? Or conversely, you could keep the bit on the manifold, and just use the composite intake gaskets (ie no more pan)?
Thanks for everyone's input! Chris - I was considering doing what you said (and still may), but my paranoia is getting the best of me. After seeing what the bearings looked like when I tore down the engine, I'm trying to be extra cautious.
I painted the headers today. I'm still waiting on the cam and heads. Hopefully, I'll get those in the next week or so ... then I'll put some time in to get the engine back together and in the car.
Not only does it keep hot oil off the bottom of the intake, but more importantly, it prevents the PCV valve from siphoning oil out of the valley. Without it, your engine will burn a lot of oil, and your valves will look like this,
Sounds like you will be ready before the weather finally evens out. I'm just waiting for my rotating assembly to be balanced. I posted in the events section 3 day Buick event at 42 in October. Chris
Don't do this set up I did this on my 350 years ago and the composite gaskets would get pinched on the bottom where the composites and pan overlap. I went with the AM&P valley pan, I sent him my specs on the 350 and he made me one. This was a lot better and the gaskets seal a lot better now. He has them for the 455 you have to send him an E-Mail and he will get back with ya
