Main thing I'm concerned with is it still leaking..Do most of you all use rtv on the new gasket and where would I put it?

 

I didn't use RTV on mine and didn't have any leaks. Make sure the mating surfaces are clean, you might have to use very fine sandpaper to clean up the surfaces. When tightening the manifold onto the head, hand tighten the bolts from the center working your way outward equally left and right, then torque them in the same pattern.

 

Use a blue sos pad not sandpaper. You want to remove foreign material on the aluminum not the aluminum

 

If u want to know if it's leaking , let ur car idle, spray some ether , or engine starting fluid around the Mani where it bolts to head, if ur engine sputters ur leaking if not ur good

 

You dont have to use rtv but you can. Definitely hit it with a scuff pad or something to get the old gasket material off