Intake Gasket HELP

[ma4life]

Searched = Nothing

My intake manifold gasket is leaking and needs to be replaced. I looked up part numbers, but for a '97 they list two. The only difference between the two is with and without locating pins. Does anyone know which one works for a '97 or am I stuck tearing it appart and waiting for the gaskets in the mail (I'm in Naples Italy ... no autozone here) ... I've also heard that the '97s with the analog speedo were produced early in the year as opposed to the digital ... don't know if that might help in the difference between gaskets:
95-97 w/o locating pins
97-02 w/ locating pins

[ma4life]

anyone ??

[Rowdy Burns]

which intake manifold gasket needs to be replaced? upper or lower?

the locating "pins" are really just dimples that help you line the gasket up and keep it in place. there's no physical difference between the two manifolds.

[Skinny]

Maybe I can help... I'll need the last 8 digits of your VIN and I might be able to figure out, but I kinda doubt it.

I've never pulled the intake on a fbody 3.8. I have had the intakes off of a few 3.8 with the plastic upper (like the gran prix). The lower intake gaskets did have "pins" I guess. Little dimples in the gasket that fit in the heads.

[ November 16, 2005, 12:46 AM: Message edited by: Skinny ]

[AZ3.8Camaro]

Look at the part numbers post in advanced tech.

EDIT - here it is...
Design 1 (usually 95-97) has blue lower intake manifold gasket without locating pins.

Design 2 (usually 98+) has orange lower intake gaskets with locating pins.

[ma4life]

awesome ... thanks guys ... they're on order.

[Distephano]

Originally posted by AZ3.8Camaro:
Look at the part numbers post in advanced tech.

EDIT - here it is...
Design 1 (usually 95-97) has blue lower intake manifold gasket without locating pins.

Design 2 (usually 98+) has orange lower intake gaskets with locating pins.

I know you said "Usually" but just as a heads up, my 97+ was orange with the pins.

[96firebirdgt]

You can use either the blue or orange lower intake gaskets. I have found that the orange ones allowed me to seal the bottom intake better to the cylinger heads.