gonna replace my intake manifold gaskets

[Andy H]

Re: gonna replace my intake manifold gaskets

well I got started on this today. I have the upper intake off and I have all of the bolts out of the lower intake and I move it up about 1/4 of an inch but it won't come off. I think it is hitting the bracketing that holds the icm. Am I supposed to take the valve covers off first to get the lower intake off? I am trying right now to get the bracket off that holds the icm. I got the t-50 star bolt off and I got one 13mm bolt out of the back but I think there is another bolt even lower. how do I get to it? thanks!

[techsan23]

Re: gonna replace my intake manifold gaskets

There are 2 bolts that go into the head that hold those engine lifting brackets on. If you take off your egr you would probably be able to get to it, but you probably figured it out by now. By the way, blue loctite is serviceable.

[Andy H]

Re: gonna replace my intake manifold gaskets

thanks! I have everything taken apart now. here's some misc pics I took.

http://users.chartertn.net/andyhawks/intake.html

what would be the best thing to use to clean the sides of my heads? whats the best way to prevent dirt and cleaner from entering in the heads? also, I took the engine lift brackets off (pita!) can I leave them off? Do I have to put the bolts back in if I do leave them off?

[vr4gasm]

Re: gonna replace my intake manifold gaskets

you can leave them off you only have to replace one bolt (if its an auto) and thats the bolt that holds the tranny dipstick tube to the back of the head.. if a manual no need

[Andy H]

Re: gonna replace my intake manifold gaskets

awesome! thanks man! I've got a manual. Hopefully I'll get my car back together today!

[Andy H]

Re: gonna replace my intake manifold gaskets

my car is back together and running better than ever! I can tell a big difference in throttle response. My upper intake gasket was letting coolant get into cylinder as you can see in this pic.


Also my lower intake gaskets were letting oil get into my coolant. After I got everything back together, I changed my oil and I've started using mobil 1 oil filter instead of acdelco. I also backflushed my cooling system and removed both knock sensors to drain the block. The passengers side knock sensor was a pita to remove, I had to use small channel locks to carefully remove it. When I took the sensors out, nothing came out the holes were plugged and I had to shove a screwdriver in there. I filled her back up with a 50/50 mix of distilled water and prestone any make any model any color antifreeze.

One thing I learned is that seafoam deep creep did not work well for cleaning my intakes. Don't waste your money on it. STP throttle body and air intake cleaner worked awesome!

Here's a before and after pic of my engine bay.




I still have some more cleaning to do under the hood but I think it looks alot better! If anybody has any questions about swapping intake gaskets let me know! Thanks for all of the help, I couldn't have done it without it!

[v6mOtOrhEAdftOp]

Re: gonna replace my intake manifold gaskets

bbtw, the p/n u gave me for the o rings weren't the right ones...

[Andy H]

Re: gonna replace my intake manifold gaskets

bbtw, the p/n u gave me for the o rings weren't the right ones...

what year is your car? the p/n i gave you where for my car (2000). The upper orings are different from the lower orings. The uppers are 71192 and the lowers are 71190. If your car is a 1999, I was told that the upper and lower orings are the same, meaning they are not different top and bottom like the 2000 is.

[Andy H]

Re: gonna replace my intake manifold gaskets

ok I just looked up 1999 and they take 70599

[v6mOtOrhEAdftOp]

Re: gonna replace my intake manifold gaskets

ya that's what i got. the problem is that I think there should be an upper and lower set. I'll see what I can fidn. Once again, thanks

[HeadyFirebird'00]

Re: gonna replace my intake manifold gaskets

my car is back together and running better than ever! I can tell a big difference in throttle response. My upper intake gasket was letting coolant get into cylinder as you can see in this pic.


Also my lower intake gaskets were letting oil get into my coolant. After I got everything back together, I changed my oil and I've started using mobil 1 oil filter instead of acdelco. I also backflushed my cooling system and removed both knock sensors to drain the block. The passengers side knock sensor was a pita to remove, I had to use small channel locks to carefully remove it. When I took the sensors out, nothing came out the holes were plugged and I had to shove a screwdriver in there. I filled her back up with a 50/50 mix of distilled water and prestone any make any model any color antifreeze.

One thing I learned is that seafoam deep creep did not work well for cleaning my intakes. Don't waste your money on it. STP throttle body and air intake cleaner worked awesome!

Here's a before and after pic of my engine bay.




I still have some more cleaning to do under the hood but I think it looks alot better! If anybody has any questions about swapping intake gaskets let me know! Thanks for all of the help, I couldn't have done it without it!

This is a frickin awesome thread!
Very nice work bro

[HeadyFirebird'00]

Re: gonna replace my intake manifold gaskets

You didnt want to paint anything? you just polished yourself?

[vr4gasm]

Re: gonna replace my intake manifold gaskets

i am gonna finish mine up this weekend everything is getting sanded and painted lol

[Andy H]

Re: gonna replace my intake manifold gaskets

Yeah I wish I would have painted but I was running out of time so I just used a cordless drill with a wire wheel to clean everything up.

[HeadyFirebird'00]

Re: gonna replace my intake manifold gaskets

if i may also ask,- were you leaking oil too before this job, and how bad really was it running?