360 blue smoke

[Arrowhead2003]

I have a 1970 f100 short bed with manual and a 360 Fe engine. I changed the intake manifold gasket and ever since it has had really bad blue smoke out of the drivers side exhaust and more minor out of the passsenger side. I’m wondering if this means a bad seal or if there’s more things wrong with the engine that I’m unaware of.

[RottenAppleRed]

The manifold isn't sealed properly and is sucking oil/oil vapor from the lifter valley. You need to take the manifold back off and carefully look for the "wet with oil" area of the intake gasket. You can start by pulling the spark plugs on the affected side. If you find one fouled or wet with oil, that's the intake port I'd be looking closer at. It's likely the lower part of the gasket, at the intake port floor is where you'll find it dint seal.

Now the fix...resist gooping the heads and intake with gasket sealant. I have never had an issue with FelPro Printoseal intake gaskets. I use my finger with some RTV black to lightly skim enough to hold the block end pieces in place and the same around any water ports. I'm talking, paper thin. Then a dab in each of the 4 corners of where the head, block and intake meet. Finally torquing the bolts to specification in the proper sequence (check manufacturer).

There are factors that play into intake sealing problems like...block decking, head resurfacing and being too aggressive with a rotary wheel when cleaning the mating surfaces. I always use a sharp scraper or razor blade to gently remove the gasket material and sealers that may have been used. Then I use a hard rubber flat block and 80 grit paper to remove the rest and clean the surface...same method on all gasket surfaces. Good luck.

[Arrowhead2003]

Thank you I will probably remove the manifold today and thanks for the information

[CH3NO2]

Before you tighten any bolts stab the distributor in the hole to line up the manifold.

[RottenAppleRed]

Before you tighten any bolts stab the distributor in the hole to line up the manifold.

Solid advice ^^^ right there.

I can also add that you want the right gasket for the intake port style. A simple test fit on the heads as well as the intake will show any issues.

[RottenAppleRed]

Thank you I will probably remove the manifold today and thanks for the information

You're welcome. Post up your findings.

[colnago]

Before you tighten any bolts stab the distributor in the hole to line up the manifold.

That's an interesting idea. I used Steve Chris' book last year, and he just suggested using the bolts to line things up. It all worked out (knock on iron), but it would have been "nice" to have something to hold the intake in place when lowering it down.

Joseph