Got my sensor of knocking

 

so actually got my plate mounted today



1999 Ford 5.4L F-150 Aluminum lower intake. Custom block off plate. Installed with a thin bead of Permatex Ultra Grey RTV. When tightened down, it gushed out past the plate just a little bit, all the way around. I used flat washers under the bolts with Loctite 242 blue thread locker. A little too much thread locker as it also gushed out from under the plate, but I think it should be ok. Tightened it up with a 1/4" ratchet. Pretty tight, but no extra torque methods. Plate is 3/16" 5052-H32 Aluminum Plate. Hardware is Zinc plated, class 10.9 M6-1.0 x 20mm and M6 Zinc plated flat washers.

 

got the pipe out... that was a mess. hopefully, I didn't trash it's sealing surface too much.... ended up basically chiseling it inwards on itself

 

so for the issue of the water pump output that goes under the intake manifold, should I just cut it off right behind the pump and run a hose all way to the back and tie it in?

I still have no actual idea where my truck was leaking from, and the manifold/gasket that came off doesn't look like there were any issues, like a blowout or anything

Also, what kind of bolt should I be using to join the upper and lower manifolds? Flanged head, regular head with a flat washer, regular head with a lock washer, etc?

 

I wish this forum was more active