Intake Gasket -- Use RTV Black ONLY (Omit OEM Gasket)?

[mbruffey]

Is it possible and/or wise to redo the upper/lower intake gaskets ('97 5.0) using only black RTV (omitting the OEM gasket)? I did an '86 'Vic with plain old household clear silicone way back in the early 90's. It ran just fine, but I always wondered if leaving out the OEM gasket adversely affected heat transfer to the plenum. This was also before I knew O2 sensors don't particularly like silicone vapor . . . . LMB

 

[mbruffey]

It occurs to me that, possibly, because of the fixed-length EGR tube (at least the replacement is fixed-length) leaving out the OEM gasket might change the height of the plenum enough to create a problem with the EGR tube fittings--possibly? LMB

 

[Maniak]

I'm trying to think if that RTV (assuming no gasket) will end up in contact with the fuel (I just can't remember). IF so, the RTV won't be a good choice. Personally, I'd use the real gasket, otherwise taking off that intake will be a real pain.. more than it already is on a motor that has been sealed for decades.

~Mark