renns

I'm looking for an intake gasket (between manifold and engine) for a old-style 13b which was I believe installed in rx-4's and repu's. My local dealer will order the parts, but does not have microfisce (sp?) going back that far to find part number. If anybody can help out with part number, or gasket itself that'd be great.

Rotortuner

Call racing beat. or mazda trix. They could probably get it to you faster than the dealer. Just tell them what you have and they will hook you up. Also to you have a tall port or short on the intermediate housing?

www.racingbeat.com
www.mazdatrix.com

renns

Thanks for the reply. I've got tall ports on the center iron. I was hoping to order through the dealer, as they get parts in 1-2 days rather than the 10-20 days it typically takes ordering from the US.

I've adapted a T2 intake to the engine, and am having a heck of a time getting the rear coolant port to seal against the intake. I'm assuming the oem gasket fits around the o-ring, rather than squashing against it? That's what I've done fabricating my own gasket (with new o-rings), but it's leaking once under pressure. I've got it apart again, and the mating surfaces are spotless. It looks like the thickness of the gasket determines the crush of the o-ring.

Any other idea?

Rotortuner

If you want any part numbers, call racing beat and get on their "tech" line. They are usually pretty friendly and will just give you the part number. Because its not really worth it for them to sell gaskets by themselves most of the time. So just call up and they should give you the number so you can go to your dealership. Ya the gasket goes around the o ring. that should fix your prob. good luck.

CJG

renns

Thanks for the help. I'll have to get the correct gasket on order. In the meantime I've cut another gasket by hand, clearanced properly for the o-rings. I've added a bit of silicone on the land around the o-ring for good luck. I'll give it another run tomorrow.

bill Shurvinton

Hi roger,

I got a new gasket with my 4-port when it was rebuilt, which needed a bit of work to fit the street port, but was leak proof on the second attempt. I did however use belt and braces (silicon sealant).

If you want me to try and get the number from my engine builder here send me a mail.

After all us early 4-ports have to stick together :-)

renns

Hey Bill,

My latest attempt with 'belt-n-braces' sealed AOK. Just have to sort out a semi-permanent air filter setup, and I'll be able to get some tuning time in before the cold weather hits. No worries about the part number. It looks like I can scrounge that locally.

peejay

I am amazed. Usually silicone sealant on paper gaskets causes mass leakage.

Speaking of gaskets, if you find yourself needing a hard to find gasket, or a custom gasket for something weirdball, you can generally buy gasket material in bulk and make your own. I do this even for common gaskets because it is so easy to do. Just lay the gasket material over the manifold, punch holes through for a couple bolt holes and use bolts to hold it in place, and tap around the edge of the part with the ball end of a ball peen hammer. Believe it or not, that is what that end is *for*.

Takes very little time and the bulk stuff is *cheap*.

renns

Yeah, I quite often cut my own. In fact, that's what I did this time (three times, in fact!). What I did was rough-cut the gasket oversize, then punch two holes in it for the intake studs on the block. With the oversized gasket slid into place over the studs, up against the intake ports, I smacked it with a soft-faced hammer. That imprinted the mating surface and other fastener locations visibly into the gasket material. After than, 10 minutes of trimming, and it's done...

I was unsure as to whether the o-rings contacted gasket material or went right through to the aluminum manifold. I ended up trying both ways, with minor leaks in both cases. On the last effort I used a small amount of silicone around the o-ring land and the mating surfaces of block and intake surrounding the o-ring. It appears leak-free now.

peejay

The O-ring sits completely inside the gasket material - they go right through to seal against the manifold.

For what it's worth.