Thread: SBC intake gaskets?

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I'm putting on a new set of Edelbrock heads and a 4x2 intake with new Strombergs. Having a blast. Damn I enjoy this stuff. To paraphrase a fishing bumper sticker... (I don't fish): A bad day in my garage is better than a good day at work.

This is a venerable small block Chevy...

I hope I can explain this well without pics, but I'll post some if needed. On the rear "china wall" at the back end of the lifter valley, there is a threaded port. Maybe 5/16" or so. I've seen a few videos where they tape over this "port" before putting on the sealant. On a few videos there is some kind of wire or small tube coming out of it. On my motor there is a threaded plug on the "port".

What the hell is this port? Why are some blocked and some others used for something?

Thank you in advance guys...

I believe that is the oil pressure sending unit port.

Oil pressure sender or guage line connector behind the china wall

If you see one taped over, it is to keep sealant out of the hole while they are installing the intake manifold. If you have a plug in yours, it means that someone used a plug rather than tape to keep foreign debris out of the hole while they installed the intake manifold. You can screw in an electric sender for an electric oil pressure gauge or you can screw in an adapter that will allow the use of a nylon or copper line to feed to a mechanical oil pressure gauge. My best advice is to use an electric gauge if you are going to mount the gauge inside the vehicle. If you want to run a mechanical, mount it on the cowl in front of the windshield, like some of the 60's and 70's cars. That way, if the gauge or line ruptures, you won't have hot engine oil spraying into the driver's compartment and maybe into your face.

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Cool. Makes sense. Thank you.

If you don't plug it or use it, and you prime the motor by turning the oil pump with a drill you will be suprised how much oil actually can come out of that small hole, ask me how I know! Best of Luck

it'll definitely hit a 16 ft ceiling-------