1978 Dodge Truck carburater gasket to manifolf

SJFLAVIO

MEMBER
1978 DODGE TRUCK
5.2L
V8
2WD
MANUAL
5,000 MILES

If my truck had few miles and new carb would a thin gasket be different performance than a thick one mounted between the carb and manifold? Just want to know the theory, or is there one? I have both thick and thin gaskets from some old kits. Which should I choose?

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,916 POSTS

Use the one that's the same as the one you're removing. A gasket with a different thickness will change the relationship to the thermostatic choke spring.

There is some theory involved related to tuning for a certain level of performance, but you'll never notice the slight difference with a different gasket. The length of the intake runners has an affect on which rpm range the engine makes the highest torque. This was one reason, among others, that the really tough 225 c.I. Slant six was used in two-ton dump trucks. Their long intake runners gave the engine more torque on the low end to help them get going.

In stock trim, the 318 is a solid engine, and much lighter than comparable GM and Ford engines, but it's not a high-torque or high-power engine unless other modifications are done. You must remember too, that for every modification that gives an improvement in one area, you give something up somewhere else.