My first rebuild - first - these gaskets seem really flimsy. I bought the Walker brand and I'm sticking with it b/c it took a lot of work to find a kit that works. Would it help to coat the gaskets in some silicone/dielectric grease or something else? I can see it now - I'm going to be popping the top off 20 times for goodness knows what. Just wondering if there's any way to make them last longer. What about the power valve gasket, accel pump gasket?

Any thoughts appreciated.

This is for a Motorcraft 2150 base model, no tps, aneroid or any of that stuff.

Also, the carb has #57 jets in it. Seems a bit big based on what I've read. I see recommendations for anywhere from 42 up to 60. What would be good for this stock '85 302 in this 2wd F150 auto? I want mileage.

Thanks fellas.

 

Which gaskets are you talking about specifically? If you're talking about the gaskets that are part of the carburetor itself, they should be paper-thin. However, the base gasket (which goes between the carburetor base and the intake or EGR spacer plate) should be about a quarter-inch thick. The gasket that goes in between the EGR spacer plate (if equipped) and intake should be a thick steel-woven gasket, which should be replaced at this time too. The first gasket sometimes comes in the kit, sometimes not - the second gasket never comes in the kit. However, some kits include paper-thin base gaskets; these should never be used.

No sealant of any kind should be used on carburetor gaskets.

 

Your kit probably came with a power valve(?) It's probably a cheap knockoff of a Holley. Purchase a 6.5 genuine Holley P/W for less than $10 instead.