Intake Manifold Gasket End Seals

[bjaymo3]

The end seals that came with my gasket set seem to be too long. Is it common to trim those seals down to size (the Fel-Pro tech said I don't need to). The gasket set is MS95809 - Intake Manifold Gasket Set, Lower . It seems like it may be easier to just lay down a bead of Permatex Hi-Temp Silicon Sealant than to fool with these end seals.

This is my first time doing an IMG and I can tell that this is a job that you only want to do once (to one car anyway). My car is an 02 Grand Prix 3.8 non-SC with about 150K miles.

Thanks,

Jay
Jamestown, NC

[tblake]

No, do not use silicone instead of the endcap gaskets. Use it in conjunction with the the them. Use plenty in the corners, and maybe a thin layer on each side of the endcap gaskets to prevent leaks.

Double check you have the correct part number for you application. I like to use the rockauto website. www.rockauto.com

[bjaymo3]

Thanks for the tip about the part no. As it turns out, there is a -1 on the end of the part number online at both Rock and AZ. I had the part with no -1. However, the only difference seemed to be the length of the end seals so I trimmed them down and went ahead with the manifold install. And I did cover the joints very well with the silicon. Thanks for the tip Tblake!

[richtazz]

The actual difference in these two sets is the MS95809-1 have locating pins on the underside of the end seals that keep them from squeezing out, where the MS95809 don't (95-early 97 3800's didn't have the holes in the block for the locating pins so the end seals are flat on the bottom, hence the different part number).

[BNaylor]

I agree with Rich. Also, here's info on the pinned and unpinned GM aluminum framed LIM gasket sets. Rich are the part numbers still correct? See link below at Tips & Maintenance forum. TIA.

Click here

[richtazz]

Yes Bob, the part numbers at that link are still valid. YW!