[DeTomaso] Cleveland Intake manifold end gasket surface shape+What's the best intake gasket

[Mikael]

Thanks for answers to this, Thomas, Dan, JDRyke and others

Just thought I'd share this: Now that I've replaced the turkey pan intake
gasket with proper FelPro FEL1240 gaskets (2V), my idle vacuum went up from
14-15 to 18(!). Needless to say idle is better, drivability bloody perfect
now :-)

I'll never use that turkey pan type of gasket again...

Mikael

-----Oprindelig meddelelse-----
Fra: Mikael [mailto:mikael_hass at mail.tele.dk] 
Sendt: 31. oktober 2011 15:03
Til: 'detomaso at realbig.com'
Emne: Cleveland Intake manifold end gasket surface shape

Now, it may be my memory, so be gentle...

Is the shape of the block where the intake manifold rests the same front and
back? When I had my Pantera engine out, I considered turning my CHI manifold
the other way around, so the CHI brand would be visible. But my conclusion
was that I couldn't, the sides facing the heads were the same, but the front
and rear were different. I used RTV front and rear, no preformed gaskets

And today I put new intake gaskets on the Longchamp. 2 sets of end gaskets
in the FELPRO package. But to my surprise, I had to use the same shape front
and rear, and the two others (longer) could be thrown away.

So: Is the shape of a Cleveland block to intake manifold surface the same
front and back? If yes, my CHI manifold is not, wonder why? And what are the
two extra end gaskets for? FYI the Pantera is a stroker 408 4V and the
Longchamp is a stock looking 2V.

No panic, I got it assembled, just like to know...

Mikael