Ok, I got the egr valve outta there, now what should I use to block off those two plates? I used duct tape to block off the intake manifold hole, but forgot the hole in the block, and I started it up and blew oil all over me! Looks like oil seeps out from the bolt holes too. Do I need to put the bolts back in? And what should I use as a temp block off plate till I can have me some good ones made? Help fast would be great, cause I'm running out of light!

 

Gosh, what kind of tools do you have your disposal?

 

Well I got a hair in my ass to do it once I left my shop, so not many. No welder, threaders, or what have you. The duct tape seemed to work fine for the intake hole, but the block hole has me worried about it puttin out too much pressure for me to just rtv a quarter to it... I dunno, what have yall used?

 

Okay, I have to go, but if you have someway to cut the flange off the downtube to the block you can use it as a backing plate for a quarter. Might do the same for the plenum there, too!

 

Ah hah. Good idea. Ill see what my angle grinder can do.

 

Perfect! I was hoping you had one a'them! As I recall, one end of those tubes has a little protrusion that inserts into the hole...the intake or block, which one I do not recall. ???? You'll, of course, have to cut that off.

 

Someone recommended a pepsi can, a piece cut in the shape of the gasket. Stick that between the flange and the hole, then bolt it down. It's a little tricky gettin' the bolt holes drilled out of that thin of metal, but be patient. I used some tin that was slighty thicker, still real thin. If the spare change route ain't easier for ya.

 

I tried using al. flashing before...it didn't seal very well. Sounded kinda cool, though.

 

I added a layer of thin bulk gasket material, to the hole side, I'd thought about tryin' RTV too. Mine don't leak, I got lucky.

 

Ended up using a cork from a wine bottle (shaved down a tad) taped down with duct tape for the block hole, and the duct tape alone worked fine for the intake. Doubted the cork would work, but it actually held up all tonight, about 75 miles worth of driving. Gonna make me some good plates outta sheet metal that we have at the shop tomorrow.

So if anyone is in a pinch, duct tape and a cork will work till you can find/make better!

 

the previous owner on mine used little caps like 1/2 copper hard caps, Kinda like freeze plugs .

 

noticeable power increase?

 

Negligible but noticeable. But that wasn't the real reason I took it out. I knew it was clogged or stuck open, cause it was stubling and hesitating and my gas mileage had gone out the window. It runs like a champ now, no stubling or hesitating, and I'm gettin about 22mpg again.