Apologies in advance for making new threads on my head gasket project; may or may not prove to be helpful to others (the purpose of this forum as redundant it may be sometimes).

In my other posts I've gone down the head gasket road myself. Really not bad for a shadetree mechanic with some years experience. Pictures and zip lock bags are you friend and I like to set down a tarp and work chronologically from the back to the front to help as well.

With that said I'm getting ready to put in the lower intake, gasket and end gaskets. Like I've done so far I do a quick test fit to make sure I've got the orientation correct and the correct bolts.
Doesn't seem to me that this gasket is a correct fit, it's off just a bit no?
I've also test fitted it to the back side of the manifold and it's off as well unless I deform the gasket to a more "taco" shape.

Is this normal? Perhaps when everything is tightended down it'll be good?
As I see it now the gasket would interfere with intake flow among other things.

Maybe I've just contracted the Rover "paranoia"

 

Are the retainers down tight? I'd loosen them a hair, press down the middle, and then tighten them back down. Thats not correct fit, but should just be an adjustment issue.

 

I'll give it a 2nd go, thanks Alex_M.

 

Still not lining up exactly after tightening down end brackets/bolts. Just not comfortable with how much gasket is in the way of flow to heads. It's just a milometer or so but bothers me. Maybe when the intake gets torqued down all will line up???

 

If the bolt holes are clear enough, try partially bolting the intake down, maybe just four bolts, one on each corner. Snug up the bolts, then remove the intake to see if gasket is seated better.

Edit: If bolt hole are not adequately clear, try placing intake, without bolts, and lean on it (apply weight) and see if it seats better. You may have to release the retainers, front and back, first.

 

Don't forget the RTV in the 4 corners where the heads meet the block.

 

Thanks everyone, I did a few bolts like PalmettoDisco sugested and it all settled in nicely.

BackinA88, thank you. I did the RTV per RAVE.

 

Thanks for letting us know the outcome. Glad things are moving forward.

 

 

Where did you buy your gasket kit from? I'm looking at them now.