I just spent hours scraping the old intake manifold gasket off my P72 head. The engine is 14 years old w/ over 271K miles and I'm pretty sure this is the first time the IM has been removed.

This is what I started with this morning, after doing some scraping last night:



I used a razor scraper, and changed blades frequently. However, a few nicks and scratches were just unavoidable as I tried getting the last bits of old gasket off.

Here's what it looks like now:











Should I try rubbing the surface with some 1500 or 2000 grit sand paper? Is that even necessary? I have a new OEM gasket which is made of cork I think? I would think it would still seal since it is somewhat flexible.

 

just make sure its clean and free of old gasket material, just like installing any other gasket, why not use a Hondata Gasket?

 

well theres your problem. you have newspaper in your intake holes
seriously though. just slap a new gasket on there and you'll be good to go...thats what the gasket is for, is to take care of the small inperfections that can occur

 

because it's just a stock daily driver and I didn't feel like paying $40+ for a piece of plastic, along with however much K-series IM studs would be.

 

try this and an old credit card next time





hondata gasket is a good investment though, it will reduces the headache of gasket removal.

If you think about it 40 bucks is going to be spent regardless, machine shop or hondata.

 

the new gasket will seal on that surface just fine....looks clean enough.......dont worry about the slight scratches. those are unavoidable and don't look to be of a major problem.

 

As already stated, your good to go.

 

why do you need IM studs? I didnt need them for my car......

 

Because the studs barely extend past the nuts with the stock gasket. There's nowhere near enough threads on the studs for the thick plastic gasket.

Well I got it all back together and running today. No signs of leaks, seems to be running great. I can't wait to drive it tomorrow with the new OEM engine mounts (old ones were torn).

 

I bet getting to those nuts on the lower center of the IM were a PITA to get to....

 

yea no joke, I had to use a long extension w/ a universal joint on the end. I'm still not sure if I got them tight enough.

 

I didn't the first time around. I tried using the same but couldn't get a good grip on the nut. I ended up borrowing a hoist and pulling the motor out a bit just so I could get a better angle and position to tighten them down.