What is the recommended intake gasket to use?

 

I used the Dorman intake manifold and it came with its own gaskets. If I was doing the job again, I would use the same intake manifold instead of the more expensive factory part. It appears to be a quality piece.

If all you are doing is replacing the intake manifold gaskets and keeping the stock intake manifold, I believe Fel Pro makes a set of gaskets which you can probably get at any auto parts store.

I finished up today. I didn't have too much time to check everything out since it was getting dark, but it appears there are no leaks, didn't overheat when I took it on a test drive and drives good. No check engine lights, no idle or running issues so no vacuum leaks. Several vacuum hoses where looking very old so I will most likely replace them some time in the future. I was under the gun and needed to get this project done.

I am going to pressure test the cooling system tomorrow to make sure there are no leaks.

It is not that hard of a job, just a few items that are hard to get to, but if you remove the fan and shroud, you can sit inside the engine bay and get to everything. Doing it this way is much more comfortable than leaning over the front grill.

 

Seems to me I have seen some mention here as to a better set of gaskets over some other.

 

On my 4.2 I used the Fel Pro gasket and I also replaced the IMRC bushings and isolator bolts

 

When I had my motor replaced, they changed the intake gasket with a fel-pro. It lasted around 10,000 miles before it started leaking coolant under the t-stat (did not see any physical damage to the manifold or gasket).
Not sure how many other gasket makers there are out there.
I just ended up replacing the entire manifold with the Dorman unit. I figure the gasket set is ~$50. The new manifold is ~$150.
Having to not worry about the 13+ year old OEM manifold fail is worth the extra $100. The labor is the same for either, so I figure I don't have to worry about it anymore.

 

Fel-pro list three different gaskets for the 97 4.6. From 16.00 to 79.99. The 80 one is the perma dry version. I used one of the cheaper fel-pro ones and I think mine is leaking causing my p0303 code.

 

Hmm, did not know that. The ones on mine looked pretty hefty.

I wish I had know about the manifold issue when I had the engine put it, I would have swapped the manifold then.

 

Drove the truck all over today. Everything works great.

Pressure tested the cooling system, held pressure so no leaks.

On to the next problem.

 

If my current intake cracks I have a Early PI aluminum intake ready to go one the truck. My truck currently has a revised Ford intake and gaskets on it.