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1997 gtp coolant elbow *help*

Zstrode2939

New member
1997 gtp I am replacing the lower intake gasket and I was trying to get the belt tensioner housing off and I knew I had all the bolts out but it wouldn't come off I wiggled it for almost a hour finally it came off the plastic elbow broke which I got all that out but I noticed there's like a aluminum one or something but it looks broke I don't know what to do please help?
 


Parts store sells 2 new aluminum ones for like 9 bucks. Clean up the holes good and lube the o rings.


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you have a molded to the alt bracket lower elbow, if it broke you need a whole new alt bracket now. also make sure the hole it goes to in the timing cover is not broken. if it is you need a new timing cover too.

you can upgrade to the 99 alt bracket, but you also need to change to the newer alt. old one wont bolt to it.


junk yard is the cheap way, new alt brackets are about 75 bucks.
 
Oh wow! Yes it's broke! So I need a 99 timing cover, alt braket, and a new alt for a 99? And all this will bolt up to my engine? I bought the aluminum elbows but I was not aware that had a molded bottom elbow how stupid? :/

Thanks for your help I was stumped!
 
Thanks for ur input I guess I ha s what they cAll a molded lower elbow which freaking snapped:/ I had got the aluminum ones thing I had regular plastic elbows but now it's even worse lol fml
 
The whole going into the timing cover is not broke but the molded elbow is still stuck in there does it come out ? If I try to get it out the hole wil prob break though
 


any year timing cover will work if thats broken. then reuse the alt bracket if its not broken.

if both are broken, and you get a 00 up alt bracket you also need a new alt from the new year bracket.
 
Thanks for ur input I guess I ha s what they cAll a molded lower elbow which freaking snapped:/ I had got the aluminum ones thing I had regular plastic elbows but now it's even worse lol fml


get another 96-98 alt bracket then, why buy a new alternator.?
 
two right angle picks and some wd-40. then you need to wiggle it out little by little. sanding what ever part of the inside can help too, the inside gets a hard crusty layer and makes the o ring hard to slide out.
 
You sadly found out the hard way why GM changed the design. Those 97-98 alt brackets are a ***** to get off. You have to pull it out towards the fender as you wiggle it. I would just buy the new alt bracket and alt. It makes it easier if any future work would need to be done.
If you can't get that part of the alt bracket out of the front cover you might have to remove the front cover to get it out. The gasket kit for that is about $12 on Rockauto.
 


Thanks buddy I've been soaking it in wd 40 just trying not to break that timing cover :/ stupid design I've replaced a lot of these lower intake gaskets but never seen one with that lower elbow like that lol
 
If you have to remove the front cover you will have to remove the ps pump, water pump and harmonic balancer irrc.
PS Pump is removed by 2 13mm bolts, the bolts are accessed through the ps pump pulley one is at 12 o'clock and the other is at 6 o'clock.
Water pump is 10mm bolts 8mm for the pulley if you need to remove it.
Front Cover bolt thread says 10mm and 13mm bolts
Here is the bolt size thread in case you need anything else http://www.grandprixforums.net/threads/48823-Bolt-size-and-torque-spec-thread
FEL-PRO TCS45971 is part number for gasket kit $12.66 on RA before shipping, or just Google the part number and find your favorite place or cheapest price.
This is the easy way to remove the balancer bolt. If you use this method please be carefull and make sure to pull the fuel pump fuse.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_-FsVvNr40
This was the best instructions for how to use the pulley puller to remove the balancer
http://www.grandprixforums.net/threads/11298-How-do-you-get-the-crank-pulley-harmonic-balancer-off
 
Thanks for everyone's input this forum is pretty nice :) I signed up just to ask this question and didn't expect this help!

Now stay and learn more stuff and if you have more questions, ask them. Just be sure to try and search the forum for your answer first before posting a new thread.
 


Now stay and learn more stuff and if you have more questions, ask them. Just be sure to try and search the forum for your answer first before posting a new thread.
This^^^ because there is a 99.9% chance that whatever your car is doing/not doing someone else has already posted about it.
 
Can someone direct me towards interior door panels? On a 2 door can't seem to find nothing! I'm a mood at this site lol sorry
 
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