Not good, what did I do???

[mudbog42]

Well it all started when having to replace my intake gasket on my 86 K-5 w/ a 350

Got it all back together and now she won't stay running if the RPM's drop below 2000, it will just stumble and die.
Also it seems to be leaking from the drivers side intake bolt second one back from the front, can I just pull that bolt and put rtv on it or what is the deal with that

So far I have done the following to troubleshoot:

-Checked firing order multiple times
-Brought motor to TDC to be sure the rotor was pointing to the #1 Cylinder, it was pointing directly at it
-Had the distributor marked in 3 different places just to make sure it back in the same spot and all my marking line up, Dizzy dropped right into place when installed
-Checked vacuum lines multiple times and can't find any disconnected
-Looked at vacuum schematic under hood and all lines look to be in the right places
-Can't keep it running long enough to confirm timing, but have tried moving the dizzy around some to find a good spot to keep her running, no luck

At this point I am at a loss, I am supposed to go camping this weekend, but it is not looking so good now as my truck won't work right.
Any help would be greatly greatly appreciated

 

[JohnDeere]

I'm no engine expert but you may not of got a good seal with the intake and your sucking in air through the side of the intake, hinse why its leaking. So you may have to pull it off and redo it. It did the same thing to me when I switched intakes for the first time and the second time I installed it. It ran much better. But lets see what the real experts have to say.

 

[ryoken]

you've got a vacuum leak..

Did you tighten the manifold bolts in sequence?

 

[JPMSK5]

Why did you change the gaskets to begin with??? What was the problem??
Yep its a redo. I would recommend while the intake is off, watch the intake push rod open up and get TDC after it closes so you know you are not 180 out. Also I would get fel-pro gasket kit and good RTV for the front and back of intake and ditch the rubber things. When you put the gaskets on and they want to slide around, put some hi-tack around the water ports at each end and they will stay put. Install all the bolts by hand and torque in the correct order and not over tighten any one bolt.

 

[mudbog42]

Thats what I was afraid of, guess I'll have to pull it back off, I did tighten them in sequence though BTW

This sucks, well thanks for the help

 

[mudbog42]

Why did you change the gaskets to begin with??? What was the problem??
Yep its a redo. I would recommend while the intake is off, watch the intake push rod open up and get TDC after it closes so you know you are not 180 out. Also I would get fel-pro gasket kit and good RTV for the front and back of intake and ditch the rubber things. When you put the gaskets on and they want to slide around, put some hi-tack around the water ports at each end and they will stay put. Install all the bolts by hand and torque in the correct order and not over tighten any one bolt.

The last gasket went out and started letting coolant and oil out all over the place

 

[JPMSK5]

The last gasket went out and started letting coolant and oil out all over the place

if it was leaking bad bad, I would put a straight edge on the head and the intake to make sure there is no warpage.

 

[vortec]

you've got a vacuum leak..

yep. if it sounds like you know where the leak is. cover it or spray carb cleaner on it and if the idle changes, you know you're right.

can I just pull that bolt and put rtv on it or what is the deal with that

because the manifold is under vacuum, not positive pressure, globbing some silicone might solve the problem short term, since it will be pulled in, not blown out. but since it's not a big job, taking shortcuts doesn't make much sense, imo.