I'm trying to install a new Butler Performance Valley Pan. I test fit it tonight with out the gasket, and when I tighten it, it curls up on the passenger side front and rear (The passenger side middle stays in contact). The Driver's side fits well, and the front and rear pull down, but prior to being withing 1/8 - 1/4 in. of block, the passenger side curls. Will the gasket take up this slack? Seems excessive. Should I glue the gasket to the valley pan and then test fit it? Didn't want to do that until I was sure it fit properly, incase I needed to tweek the pan.
Does it have the 3(front, middle, rear) reinforcement cross rib's? If not, send it back, and get one that does.
Found the best way to intall'm is by lightly gluing a factory style gasket to the pan itself. Then a light coating of rtv(gskt to blk). In you decide to use the one you have, probly have to tweek it some, and use rtv to fill the gaps.
Dont forget to use some rtv around the 2 mntg bolts.
Spent an hour tweeking it with a rubber mallet (recommended method), Looks like it should work now. Glued gasket to pan and will use light RTV to block and bolts. Used 3M weather adhesive for gasket to pan, as recommended by Butler's. Not the ribbed one, didn't want to pay the money....might be a mistake we'll see.
Poncho, when you pull the valley pan as often as you do, do you change gaskets each time? If not how do you do it so that the gasket isn't destroyed? I've always wondered how people pull their intakes and valley pans without changing gaskets. How often can you reuse the gaskets? Do you need special gaskets inorder to do this? What's the trick?
With the intake, I wouldn't dare comment, but as for cork gaskets, they are supposed to be installed dry without sealer. If you gentlyh lift the part, the gasket pops loose. As far as how long gaskets will last: gots me a 20 year old set on my car's rocker covers. Had the covers a few times. They never leaked a drop and still don't leak a drop. Based on the condition of my 20 year old cork gaskets, if I were to speculate the lifespan of correctly installed cork gaskets, I would say about 50 to 75 years.
Responded to your pm. Darn it, hard to finish while at work.
A street car(500hp), just glue a Fel-Pro gskt to the cover using 3M yellow w/strip adhesive #8001. No rtv between gasket and block If you cant get a good cover to block seal, use Permatex blue rtv(cover to block). It's more stringy, and removes easier then gray or black.
Big HP engines need the gray or black rtv to stay sealed, unless you have a vacuum pump.
