Nowadays, methods are many for properly sealing Chrysler big block intake manifolds. From the factory, a stamped, thin-gauge steel “valley pan” was supplied and featured an embossed groove that would crush to seal the intake manifold to cylinder head mating surface.

While that worked just fine to seal off faces that were flat, clean, and new, sixty-some years of heat cycling doesn’t always afford them the opportunity to work as well anymore. Over the decades, rebuilders have amassed myriad means to stave off a leak here. We’ve seen some add silicone or gaskets to the stock pan while others abandon it in favor of an aftermarket piece.

Some of that can work but, as they often do, the folks at Hughes Engines have a solution with their exclusive intake manifold gaskets. Available in 0.016”, 0.030”, and 0.060” thicknesses, these are proprietary due to the silicone beads around the openings as well as the modular nature of the port sizes.

Versatility is the primary point of these fine pieces. The three thicknesses can be used to account for more or less flatness irregularities on either side of the surface. For use with standard 440 ports, builders can simply trim off the upper silicone bead. For Max Wedge ports, the inner bead is removeable to increase the opening size appropriately.

Furthermore, they can be used with a stock-style bathtub like P/N FEL 1215 or an aftermarket valley pan like P/N HUG 3274K. Either way, they’re a sure-fire setup for sealing success.