[kevinwil]

Hi Everyone,

I've been working on my new '91 metro and after failing to fix the engine with a new head, I wound up buying a JDM engine from a local company in Lynnwood, WA. 1 year unlimited mile warranty, not a bad deal for $399.

I pretty easily got it swapped out, but this time I bought my intake gasket from my local Napa auto. It was metal, unlike the original gasket and the one I bought from my previous rebuild kit. The JDM engine did have a metal gasket however, which I trashed of course.

I went ahead and put the gasket in with no sealant and fired it up. Immediately, I had a steam locomotive in my driveway, but it was running. Initially I thought the throttle body may have been leaking water, but it is not.

I took the gasket off, and replaced it using High-tack permatex, which I have used on paper gaskets in the past with much success. When it started this time, it was steaming a little bit, but nonetheless, I don't want to drive it this way. So it looks like I found the leak at least. The head better not be leaking, I never removed it so it should have a good seal.

I looked around locally for another paper gasket but was unable to locate one, so I bought another metal one, but I haven't installed it yet. I also bought some permatex Ultra Grey, as the back of the box shows it being used as an intake manifold gasket. Then there is a warning on the tube about not using it around gas seals! What gives? I suspect it will work, but needless to say, I'm VERY tired of pulling the intake manifold off and cleaning my last failed attempt up. :-)

Any thoughts on the metal gaskets? I don't see any warping, but with the water jacket holes right next to the intake, I can see how this thing needs to get a good seal. (Oh yeah, who thought that was a good idea?) Is there some trick I'm missing here, or do I just flat not know what I am doing?

Thanks!
-Kevin