Question About 96' Upper Intake Plenum Gasket

[KC96LSC]

As some of you know I'm redoing my 96 head gaskets. I had a leak in the upper plenum for years, I did my best to take it apart carefully because I heard we can't get those gaskets any longer. Well it didn't go as well as I would of hoped. My question is, what are my options with a new gasket for this area. I found these for the 93 - 95 Mark VIII (see link below) they look the same with the exception of the orange part which I'm sure are very important. Can I use these being I really don't know of another option. If someone could tell me what I should do here would be great.

Should I delete my EGR while I'm doing this work?

Also, are the Head Bolts and Harmonic Balancer Bolt the only ones that aren't reusable or are there other bolts I didn't mention?

Thanks for any advice,

Greg

Felpro: http://cart.autopartswarehouse.com/basket?ai=true

 

[BILLBOATS]

I own a 96 mark 8, Last year I replaced a imrc. Removed the plenium and the lower intake manifolds too. I was able to buy them on line at a 20% discount for both the upper and lower gaskets. The lower gaskets turned out to be for a 1996 block and wouldn't fit so i got 1995 block gaskets for the lowers from Advanced auto parts. You can look them up on line, The orange is a sealing feature so don't worry , its o.k.

 

[KC96LSC]

The lower gaskets turned out to be for a 1996 block and wouldn't fit so i got 1995 block gaskets for the lowers from Advanced auto parts.

Sorry but I'm a little confused, are you saying the 96' gaskets didn't actually work for your 96' Block so you had to get 95' gaskets and they worked? Also about the upper plenum, the gaskets you used didn't have the orange rubber seals? Thanks for your help on this.

 

[BILLBOATS]

O./K I bought all 96 gaskets. But when we matched up the lower plenium the 96 gaskets were not matching up with the heard s . Just to be clear the intake plenium fits over the heads. Then the plenium itself goes on top of the intakes. Now back to my true story. We took back the gaskets to advanced. They got a set gaskets including the lower ones too. Wow, the lower ones from the 1995 set fit the heads on my 1996 mark 8.. Advanced said because my car was made somewhere around jan-feb 1996 that ford put on 1995 heads. I know it sound mixed up. But the 1995 lowers fit the heads. I was fine after much m,ore work and road testing.. If you go to www.justansers.com and pay by the question or sign up for the 18 a month you can get the answer. Ide do the 18. I can give you the names of 3 lincoln experrts. Or I can just get the imformation and write back but I don't know how to send diagrams by computer or I would. Yes the upper had the nice orage seals

 

[unity]

They are the same heads, B style. I dont see why there would be any difference between 95/96 gasket sets where they meet the heads. Or for that matter, the intake runner to plenum.

FYI. The IMRCs mount to the heads - these gaskets are the same for 95/96 and available. Then there is the intake manifold which is a one part construction and mounts to the IMRCs. These are the reusable gaskets that by now are old and failing and not longer available from Ford.

Advanced probably gave you the wrong set for 96, probably for another engine.

 

[BILLBOATS]

gaskets still on the go

Well , ford won't have them Heck, they quit selling imrc long ago. Advanced, auto zone Napa all can sell you the right gaskets. My car was built early 1996 so ford appears to have used the 95 heads on my 1996 car

 

[unity]

Ok, well think what you want to.

 

[BILLBOATS]

Na, The set was marked lincoln 4.6 1996. The runner controll bolts to the back of the intake manifolds., or may be to the head, not positive. Agree?The intake lay on top of the head, and finally the plenium lays on top of the intakes manifolds. You re use gaskets where vac leaks can occur. Never re use a gasket. Only exception is when the manufacturer of the car says it can be re used. I know I had to exchange the gaskets in order for them to fit. Now you mentioned a B head? whats that? If you need a diagram, go to the library or look for a book on mark 8's that will help.

 

[KC96LSC]

C - Heads came out in 99' also know as tumble port heads. All Mark VIII's have the B - Heads, the only real change between Gen 1 and Gen II are the intake set ups. and also 96' 97' 98' got the upgraded valve springs. Someone correct me if I got that wrong. Billboats, I can see your new to this website and you don't know who some of these people are, but I can assure you that Unity and a number of other guys (See my other posts) know what they're talking about. I've been around here since 2004 and before, along with a lot of these guys. I wasn't trying to insult you in any way, your wording just had me confused.

Her's a good article on the C heads (second post) http://forums.tccoa.com/showthread.php?t=105319

 

[unity]

^ Correct.

Bill I think some of your terms are a bit off. On the Gen One the "intake manifold" includes the plenum area. The plenum is the open area between the throttle body and the runners. Basically a chamber. In some cars it can be separated, in some not. On the Gen One, it can not be separated and is the area that sit under the runners and runs the length of the intake. As such the proper term is "intake manifold".

The intake manifold rests on the relatively short IMRCs (Intake Manifold Runner Controls). These are like throttle plates, except there are two for each cylinder. These determine the use of the short or long runner over 3K RPM.

So with nothing but heads, the IMRCS install. Then the Intake rests on that. Four gaskets total, two each side. Basically one above and one below the IMRC. The ones below can not be re-used. The ones above, per Ford, are reusable. They are typically a black poly with a soft orange rubber insert. In fact many of Fords intake gaskets are reusable, even the hat gaskets on the Cobra/Mach intakes. The issue now is that they are getting old so reusing them is becoming a less than idea thing to do.

 

[BILLBOATS]

The 1996 mark has 2 intake manifolds thast sit on top of the heads with a gasket between the intake and head. One is right, other is left. The IMRC is a part,( INTAKE MANIFOLD RUNNER CONTROLL). It fastens either to the back side of the head or intake manifold. Its job is to open the the throttle plates when the speed reached 3200 rpm. Then the thing with the pipes(I called it a plenum) sits on top of the intake which sit on top of the head./ As for the intakes, they have 8 openings with a throttle plate in each opening. All the throttle plates are open and closed by the throttle shaft rod running the entire length of the intake manifold.At the endof the intake manifold theres some rod exposed . The imrc attaches to this riod and is fastened to the motor by bolts. Not sure but its the head. Since I was a teenager I have never re used anything where manifolds or pulling the heads was involved.Penny wise and pound foolish On a second look they call the plenium and the intake manifold one and the same. The part with the 8 holes is the intake manifold runner HOUSING. O.K I had a confusion of the terms but I know how the fit .

 

[unity]

No, the IMRC actuator attaches to the end. Just look at graphic above. There is only one throttle plate in the throttle body. The IMRCs contain "valve plates". They are called that because they have have two fixed positions and do not "throttle" anything, that is they are not variable like a throttle plate in a throttle body.

Ford recommends re-using the reusable gaskets. Just like my BMW.

 

[BILLBOATS]

O,K there are 8 valve plates call them what you want, O.k this is the offical term , I call them throttle plates. The imrc are not the same imrc 's everyone has to cross the red sea to find. These are called INTAKE MANIFLOD RUNNER CONTROLL H O U S I NG S See you gotta call it exactly as you told me.Besides, My subject was nothing to do with the throttle body itself. Everything to do with the housings and intake plenum . I would never except for a tranny pan re use engine gaskets. Ford or no Ford.

 

[driller]

I assure you the '93-'96 Mark VIII intake gaskets are the same throughout the years. As for other applications that cross over, there may be a difference from '95 to '96.

 

[BILLBOATS]

nuff said

 

[KC96LSC]

I might take a guess that the 96 Lincoln gaskets they gave you the first time Bill could have been for the FWD Lincoln Continental with the 4.6, just a guess.

I'm going to order the gaskets I show at the top of the thread. I don't think I have a choice. I'll just have to find out first hand if not having the Orange rubber seals will be a fail or not. Also, both of your points are well taken, Ford does say those lowers are reusable but seeing how old they are now I need to replace them. Then as for the only non reusable bolts are "Head Bolts & and Crank/Harmonic Balancer Bolt" Right?

 

[unity]

Yes, those bolts are not reusable. You probably know, but make sure the head threads are clean and dry. Liquid inside can crack the head. After cleaning the surfaces I use parts cleaner in the threads then use a shop-vac with straw to suck them out. Nice clean and dry.

 

[KC96LSC]

I was thinking of getting this 3M product to clean off the gasket material. Saw a youtube video about it and it looked like it did a quality job.

Thanks unity about cleaning the threads and making sure everything is good and dry. This is my first time redoing anything (internally) in the 4.6 DOHC and little things like that can get looked over. I've read through my 96 Lincoln mark VIII Shop Manual once, getting ready to go through it again. I'm sure it wont be the last time ether

http://www.rshughes.com/p/3M-Scotch...ent-2-In-OD-25000-Max-RPM-07528/051131_07528/

 

[unity]

Im not a fan of those 3M scrubbers. You can probably use them on the heads themselves as long as the heads are tank cleaned after. Those things are in fact abrasive and do in leave fine abrasive material behind. Also if not careful, they will remove actual aluminum material.

I highly recommend a good soaking of the surfaces with penetrating spray, like PB Blaster, for residual gasket material. Then a carefully applied blade will remove the material. I find keeping the blade vertical (90 degrees to surface) works really well and fast.

Once the bulk of material is removed I used the red Scotchbrite Pads. Most auto stores have them, a 3-pack is cheap. These too can leave some abrasives behind, but not nearly as much. Therefore they are great for the block surfaces too where a liquid cleaning dip may not be possible. Use a sanding block to keep the pad pressure even and work the pad in even directions. Keep in mind you do not need to remove 100% of the surface imperfections, if the surface feels smooth to touch it will be fine. Some areas may not look clean but its pitting and color shifting you are seeing. I say this because you can still over work an area and thus remove aluminum material. Once finished, wipe with microfiber and parts cleaner. Repeat as needed. Then clean out the head bolt threads in the block.

Always cover all opening and piston tops. Vacuum out those openings often.

edit: These are the pads I prefer to use.

http://mnpctech.com/case-mods-gamin...buff-scuff-scotch/3m-scotchbrite-pads-en.html

 

[KC96LSC]

Thanks Unity, even the mechanic in the video said that when using the extra fine Scotch Brite discs you had to be very careful not to overdo it. He almost quoted what you word for word, from the pad and block to the pitting and color shifting. I was starting to think it was you in the video

Just to have someone actually say this stuff to me helps my confidence moving forward. Thanks for all the input Unity.

Greg

PS I am getting a good flat edge ruler just to make sure I don't have a warped block as well.

 

[unity]

I would be shocked if the block is warped, but yes its always good to check. The heads you can take to a shop but I always just check my own with a flat-edge and feeler gauges. I check in a cross pattern corner to corner then straight down end to end.

Thats funny about the video. But I guess its good to have at least two people say the stuff. If you feel you can use the 3M scrubbers, go for it. I just never found the need.

 

[driller]

Happened to stumble upon some intake gaskets in the garage. Victor Reinz MS16275 is what I have for the uppers. They have the orange sealant.

The lower set is Victor Reinz MS16276 and do not have any sealant. I am using FelPro MS 95833 which does have the sealant.

I have 2 sets of the MS16275. If you cannot find them, I can send you a set since I am not planning on using the Mark VIII intake.

Edit: I just googled all these gasket numbers and they can be found on Amazon.

 

[KC96LSC]

That's why I love this website so much.

driller, I have looked all over for 96' Mark VIII 4.6 DOHC 4v everything I could think of. The one I show at the top of the thread, to me, that one doesn't look like it has the Orange seals. I even searched using the ford number thinking it might cross reference, I got nothing really. I just looked those numbers you posted driller and shazam.

Unity, I'm going to do as you mentioned as far as prepping everything.

Thanks to both of you guys for helping me out, it's truly invaluable.

Just noticed that Amazon says these gaskets do not fit my car 96', how odd.

 

[unity]

I think the issue the Cobra changeover. In 1996 the Cobra went to an updated intake that I think matched the Gen II intake ports. The IMRCs ports were changed too. But the Gen II Mark was not updated til 97 along with COP heads. Its also why the 1996 IMRC actuators are hard to find. They are the older style but ODB II wired (monitored). The updated IMRCs for 96 Cobra and then 97 Mark are even more different in operation.

 

[BILLBOATS]

A fine wire round brush that fits into a 3/8" drill works well , Some will say it scratches