Thread: Changing out intake manifold gaskets

dealer, ouch. not for me.

i went to advance auto, they were the only store that had small T's. every one else had this huge ass T that dont really fit or work. and it was one for 3 bucks.

got a 2 pac of T's, you need 2. and 3 feet of vac line for under 5 bucks.



and the fat vac hose off the TB is more then likely to break too. the $5 i spent covered 4 inches of the fat line, then i took the smaller line shoved it onto the fat line, then to the stock plastic line.

any auto parts store will have the vac line, i got the small T's at advance auto.

if you want they sell the metal elbows now, or get the dealer elbows. but the T's id get at the part store, why pay the dealers high prices. they flat out over charge for everything, thats why we all hate the dealerships.

Yes they make metal ones. Here's the thing with the metal ones, it's all aluminum and they corrode fast and get stuck. They still can break off. The real issue with the elbows is that the orings go flat, so just rtv around the orings and you'll be all set.

I watch bill boost break off a metal elbow last week because it was stuck in the water pump. The 97-98 water pump had a metal elbow that was attached to it, gm changed to the plastic ones because that elbow would corrode and break inside.

the metal one are not sold at the dealerships, just so you know that. its a dorman part. theres a thread here with the part #.

Originally Posted by Swiggles

Yes they make metal ones. Here's the thing with the metal ones, it's all aluminum and they corrode fast and get stuck. They still can break off. The real issue with the elbows is that the orings go flat, so just rtv around the orings and you'll be all set.

I watch bill boost break off a metal elbow last week because it was stuck in the water pump. The 97-98 water pump had a metal elbow that was attached to it, gm changed to the plastic ones because that elbow would corrode and break inside.

wasn't that elbow also rtv'ed in? that bill snapped?

For the $6 for the elbows... Just change em out once a year, no leak, no breaking, done!
Geeeeze!
: )

You shouldn't have to change them once a year. There should be no need to change them ever if they are install right. A bead of rtv around the orings and you'll be good for years to come.

Originally Posted by Scottydoggs

wasn't that elbow also rtv'ed in? that bill snapped?

It might have been but that's not why it was stuck. I always rtv the rings, metal and plastic, the plastic won't corrode so you can still get the piece out if it breaks.

With all that being said, I have the metals ones on my car buts that's because they are shiny

i did mine, first time cleaned the holes well, oiled the rings, slid them in, no leaks, then i had to change the upper one with the lim job, same deal, just oiled, no leaks. knock on wood. mine are the dorman plastic.

And you shouldn't need to use rtv, I do it as a precaution. Sometimes they go in on an angle that you can't see and can cause leakage

At an angle you can't see? The thing is right out there in the open.

Grease and grime..I use purple power/simple green, then to scrub... any loved ones toothbrush works well. To clean the elbow holes..I use a finger and some steel wool....helps if you are wearing white gloves and pretending you're a doctor.

i used a scotch bright pad, and brake cleaner, on the heads side, and the intake side ports, and both the sc and top of the lim.

i had to use 100 grit sand paper to get the burnt on gasket by the lims 2 coolant holes, it was baked on there real good.