Is there a trick to installing this when using the 4 paper gaskets? I couldn't line up the bolt holes because of the increased thickness. I had sealed the gaskets to both sides of the pan so it would go on as 1 piece. Do I only need to use gaskets on 1 side? If so, which side?

Thanks

Do you have the standard gaskets or the thinner ones ? the std paper adds .060 to the thickness of the gasket package . What intake are you using ?

They look to be standard gaskets and do not appear thin at all. Not sure of the MFG of the pan, it was with the rebuild kit my machine shop used to assemble the long block. I want to buy a new one and not reuse it.

What intake are you using ?

Some swear by them I swear at the papers.Ive installed them with just tins since the 60s and never had a problem.My 440 has alumimum heads and intake and my kids iron and aluminum intake.Both have been together for years and no problems.Ive run aluminum intakes since the 60s with just the tins.Ive pulled tons of BBs from the factory and never seen papers.I just use some RTV under the hold down rails and a dab in the 4 corners.To me osing the paers is like wearing suspender and a belt.If you have a leak something isnt right.Rocky

In alot of cases they add too much thickness as you've found out unless the heads' intake faces are milled. I'd take em off & use a very light even smear of Permatex #2 in the toothpast like tube around both sides of each of the 8 port openings in the valley pan tin gasket. people have used them dry if the surfaces are dead flat/perfect matching angles but the Permatex works for me. the thick ones ain't cut perfect and a guy on here sells .015" thin ones & I ain't bought em (yet) but his supplied measurements fit the port dimention perfectly & if good I'll spray them w Permatex "high tack" the red spray gasket sealer. It's light, sprays on easily/evenly and is extremely tacky

The standard paper is usually way too thick. The more correct thin paper is available. I think it's even on Ebay. BUT, and this is a huge BUT, most of the time you don't need the paper at all. The factory did not use the paper. It will seal fine with just a couple of coats of copper coat spray or aluminum spray paint. I normally only use the paper if the manifold has been cut to fit a different engine and needs the extra thickness to work on this engine. With a choice of no gaskets, thin gaskets or thick gaskets you can ussually get a good fit. I set the manifold on with a smashed down used pan and check the bolt holes. If they line up good then put a new pan on it with no paper. If the manofold holes are lower than the head holes then add the appropriate paper. If the manifold holes are too high then machine work will be required either to the manifold or the manifold side of the heads (paper can't fix that).

member TOPSIDE sells the thinner gasket cheap.

IMHO after chasing a intake leak for the first 3 months my 440 was in the truck,i wount do it again with out the gaskets.

i used the felpro HP 1215 VP with 4 gaskets,stock heads uncut/weiand alum intake uncut.

but with a new pan you do have a good chance at the seal,the embossed tin will flaten out and seal..i just would not try it a 2nd time.

try it with just one gasket and see how it fits , if you can't get the bolts in then you need to trim the intake a little . I used one paper per side ona 440 I just did and I think I had the shop take about .020 off the intake on each side .

Thanks guys!