I need some advice. Please help!

I will be changing my intake manifold gasket on my 96 K1500, Suburban with the 350 Vortec. Between the Fel-Pro gasket, and the updated GM gasket, which one is better? Have any of you used the Fel-Pro Perma-Dry plus gasket without using any sealer? The instructions say to install it dry but it seems a lot of people put some sealer on there anyway. I figure I will use the Fel-Pro one if I can use the dry install feature, but if it's a good idea to use sealer I would just as soon get the GM one. The updated GM gasket seems to be very solid. I have a coupon at the dealership that I can use which makes the price of the two exactly even. I would appreciate any help. Thanks!

I did my intake gasket fix a couple of years ago on my 96 K1500 5.7. I used the Fel Pro set and if I remember correctly the gaskets on the heads went on dry and gasket maker was supplied for the ends where the intake and block mate. I have had no problems since.

I have used dozens of fel-pro gaskets and never had one go bad. Sealer must be used no matter the design of the gaskets. That's on the block between the heads only, and don't get the sealer past the fork shaped things on the inside-corner part of the gasket or they will leak. I know that's a terrible desciiption of it, but you'll see what I mean when you see the gasket.

Thank you guys! That's what I was looking for. I knew I needed to use sealer on the block between the heads I just didn't know how necessary it was to smear it on the Fel-Pro gasket or if that just ruins their Perma-Dry design. I think I will go with the Fel-Pro.

Replace the injectors with the updated system and save yourself a lot of headache in the future. GM has a service bulletin out on this problem. I recommend reading it if you are not familiar with it already.

Thanks for the heads up! Luckily the previous owners installed the updated injection system before I bought it from them. Although they did do a crappy job with installing the intake manifold gasket. :shakehead:wink: