m116 intake manifold toque specs and sequence

[mattlis]

I just changed the intake manifold gaskets and plenum seals on my 1981 380sl, and after I put everything back together and started it up; it now blows white smoke.

I'm guessing something went wrong with the new gasket and coolant is seeping to one or more of the cylinders. I don't think I damaged the new gaskets when I put it back on, so maybe I didn't bolt the manifold down to the right torque? The bolts weren't on all that tight and I was able to break them easily, so maybe there is a sequence?

The service manual doesn't say anything about it, just renew gaskets. I'm just wondering if someone knew if there was a way to do it that was never printed.

I'm taking it all off again tomorrow and checking to see if the gaskets were damaged.

[Strife]

Oh, there is definitely a sequence. It's in the manual, but generally, it's from the middle out, one side L/R and F/R at a time.

This is a very, very touchy install. It is my understanding that even pros will use "gaskacinch" or even RTV (RTV, which I would avoid at all costs on this engine) when doing it.

Hopefully, you didn't get the heads milled or "trued" or whatever, because this changes the geometry and relationships of the parts.

These gaskets are (fairly) inexpensive, and if you have compressed them unevenly I'm not sure I'd reuse them.

[mattlis]

I already ordered new gaskets after I posted this, and I didn't machine anything.

I thought maybe I should try a seal of some kind the second time around. I believe they were replaced at one point and whoever did it used something like that, as the old one were hard to get off. now I know I should now

thank you