Two piece intake manifold will not separate

I have all 8 of the bolts removed and I am trying to separate the top and bottom pieces to replace the original gasket. The manifold is removed from the head. I have tried hitting it as hard as i can with a rubber hammer and I am unable to separate the two pieces. What else can I do to try to get this apart with out damaging it?

They usually stick very well... try a razor blade knife around the gasket perimeter, be very careful to not cut aluminum or yourself

Brass hammer.

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Originally Posted by tryingbe

Brass hammer.

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I've used a non-maring dead blow hammer with great success in the past. Some of them take a bit more persuasion than others.

Is there a leak? Most I've seen stuck that well didn't need a gasket

buuuut its probably good to check anyways and how bad the core shift is in the runners LOL

Thank you for all of your help. After posting this I got it apart with my rubber hammer.

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Originally Posted by BadAssPerformance

Is there a leak? Most I've seen stuck that well didn't need a gasket

buuuut its probably good to check anyways and how bad the core shift is in the runners LOL

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There was no leaks that I was aware of. Cylinder cylinder mumber four had a dropped valve guide and beat up my cam. I thought that it would be a good thing to replace the plenum gasket while it was apart. I am sending the turbo out to have it rebuilt and I am probably going to drop the oil pan to look at the rod bearings and the pistons.

Okay now that you have it apart, be very aware that the white gasket that glued it together so well has be made with asbestos. Nasty stuff for your lungs. I wouldn't sand it off as that's when fibre becomes airborne and potentially dangerous. Scrape it off CAREFULLY with a very sharp knife, wood chisel, putty knife, razor blade, etc.. I usually manage to cut myself in the process, but my lungs thank me.
As JT said check the core shift on the two halves. # 4 is never good, and is always the worst of them all.
Todd

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Originally Posted by 4 l-bodies

Okay now that you have it apart, be very aware that the white gasket that glued it together so well has be made with asbestos. Nasty stuff for your lungs. I wouldn't sand it off as that's when fibre becomes airborne and potentially dangerous. Scrape it off CAREFULLY with a very sharp knife, wood chisel, putty knife, razor blade, etc.. I usually manage to cut myself in the process, but my lungs thank me.
As JT said check the core shift on the two halves. # 4 is never good, and is always the worst of them all.
Todd

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I did not know that the gasket was made with asbestos. The gasket was so hard and brittle that I had to remove it with a razor blade. I was lucky that I did not cut myself.

How can i go about to correct the core shift problems in the manifold? Would gasket matching or port matching the intake ports take care of the problem?