Can I use straight sealant for the adapter plate? I've cut gaskets out of paper gasket material and sprayed them with copper spray but that didn't hold, and used some really thick rubber material and that was a little better but still sucking air pretty bad. Could I use straight sealant to seal it? There must be unbelievable amounts of vacuum in the carb because it ends up sucking a leak everytime I put a gasket in there.

Have you made sure that the mating surfaces are flat?

As far as i can tell, they are perfectly flat. I can put the adapter plate on the intake and it doesn't rock, and put the carb on the adapter plate and it doesn't rock either.

Rocking doesn't prove that its straight. Using a plate of glass and some high grit sandpaper (500+) can help check and make the surfaces flat.

I'm attempting the same thing - Weber plate sealing without a paper gasket - just sealant.

 

My first attempt was with Permatex #2 type nonhardening gas resistant sealant. Too watery - the vacuum pulled it into the intake and I had major vacuum leaks within a week.

 

Second attempt was Permatex #2 on the inside edges, and Anaerobic sealant on the outside (to keep the vacuum from pulling in air that would cause the #2 to "seep" toward the intake. This worked fine for about 6 weeks, then the same problem developed. I'm thinking the constant heating/cooling cycles with expansion/contraction causes the Anaerobic to eventually crack.

 

My next attempt will be with Permatex Permashield (gas resistant polyester based RTV) that I just picked up yesterday. This stuff should (theoretically) be perfect - not as liquidy as the #2, and stays pliable (to handle the expansion/contraction).

 

I'll keep you updated.

I used the Permashield for the intake and that stuff does seem perfect. It's the consistency of putty when it dries, but haven't put any real miles on it since. Been started and ran until warm a few times and when I touch the little bit that got mashed out when I torqued down the intake, it is still very firm despite being hot. Seems promising.

I used cork gaskets on both the webers I put on with rtv on the mating surfaces but not on the gaskets. I even used steel adapter plates that i made and haven't had a problem.

Here you go try using  Shellac  used this the other day and it works great for me... its post #8 http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/topic/71510-ideas-on-swaping-a-weber-carb-on-ea82%C2%B4s/?hl=%2Bea82+%2Bweber+%2Bvacuum

Edited November 14, 201411 yr by 1988subiman

I used the Permashield for the intake and that stuff does seem perfect. It's the consistency of putty when it dries, but haven't put any real miles on it since. Been started and ran until warm a few times and when I touch the little bit that got mashed out when I torqued down the intake, it is still very firm despite being hot. Seems promising.

Please keep us updated.

I'm probably doing mine with Permashield this weekend, if the weather stays good.

Any word on how this is working out for you?

Edited November 18, 201411 yr by BirdMobile

I haven't had time to get over to my friends house where its at and probably won't until after the holidays.

 

Edit: I used the paper gasket material with shellac right after I tried the gasket material with the copper spray and it didn't seem like it even tried to seal.

Edited November 18, 201411 yr by Subaru_dude

Same as all the others, sucking in air profusely and using coolant too. I also tried using cork gaskets with the permashield as well and the story was the same. I'm beginning to think I just need a new intake and heads.

Both mine are still fine and not leaking. I think your adapter plate isn't machined flat or your not tightening the bolts tight enough.

Not sure what intake you are using... but on an EA82 intake you need to grind down that small coolant pipe in the front of the intake and then fill the void with JB weld.  Then on the hose that goes to it?  Stick in a 1/4" diameter stud, slide it in a a little ways and clamp it down with a hose clamp (it makes a plug in the hose).

 

If you just stick the gasket and adapter over that huge coolant hole you will of course have leaks.

It's an ea81 intake. It started acting up after a friend drove it. He overrevved it and it drove fine the rest of that evening and then developed the problem. I'm thinking it's time to upgrade to ej, it's been sitting for a year now and I'd really love to be driving it. Really love the 2 doors.

There is a cheapest way to fix a gasket problem, with a Permanent eternal solution: Get the adapter WELDED to the intake, but first you'll need to close the unneeded coolant passage. I did the aluminium welding on my Subaru "BumbleBeast" years ago, to permanently get rid from any vacuum leak and the thing works absolutely Flawlessly.

 

There will never be a better way to solve such problems.

(Edit: unless you're searching for an excuse to do an EJ Swap  )

 

Kind Regards.

Edited January 7, 201511 yr by Loyale 2.7 Turbo

Not sure what intake you are using... but on an EA82 intake you need to grind down that small coolant pipe in the front of the intake and then fill the void with JB weld. Then on the hose that goes to it? Stick in a 1/4" diameter stud, slide it in a a little ways and clamp it down with a hose clamp (it makes a plug in the hose).

 

If you just stick the gasket and adapter over that huge coolant hole you will of course have leaks.

Disagree. I've had mine just covered with the gasket for almost a year now no issues. Supplied gasket and shellac.

There is a cheapest way to fix a gasket problem, with a Permanent eternal solution: Get the adapter WELDED to the intake, but first you'll need to close the unneeded coolant passage. I did the aluminium welding on my Subaru "BumbleBeast" years ago, to permanently get rid from any vacuum leak and the thing works absolutely Flawlessly.

 

There will never be a better way to solve such problems.

(Edit: unless you're searching for an excuse to do an EJ Swap  )

 

Kind Regards.

I've got everything for the ej swap so I'm going that route. The extra power would make that little car just plain silly with only fwd. But that will be a while, I'm pretty dead set on buying a new(er) Subaru. My daily commute is anywhere from 100 to 200 miles a day and need more room for equipment also. The ole Camry is getting tired these days.

I've got everything for the ej swap so I'm going that route. ...

 

Now I Understand.

 

 

Disagree. I've had mine just covered with the gasket for almost a year now no issues. Supplied gasket and shellac.

 

Yes, also I used to have the provided Gasket + Shellac, but after many years of Use and having to take off and on, the Weber Carburetor for Cleansing, I preferred to use Aluminium Welding, between the Aluminium Adaptor Plate and the Aluminium intake, so I avoid the use of Gaskets and got rid from the possibility of having a loose adaptor, and vacuum leaks, forever.

 

Kind Regards.