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lim gasket preperation

gtcoup

gtcoup

New member
So im gettin my list ready for this project. Let me add im broke as fcuk. I was lookin on autozone.com I know I know i should get them from the dealer blah, but I see some cheapos for like 40 bucks. if i can do this and get 50k ill be happy. whtas you guys in put on this Victor Reinz/Intake Manifold Gasket (MS16191) | Intake Manifold Gasket | 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix 6 Cylinders K 3.8L SFI OHV | AutoZone.com

anyways this is what im prepared to buy

lim gaskets
upper plentum gasket
oil change
rad flush
cooler tstat while im there
injector o-rings
coolant elbows
seafoam

please feel free to add anything i missed.... i know there are a bunch of threads on this topic, but often go into other things I just wanna be 100% sure im prepared for this
:th_thumbsup-wink:
 


well make sure you get the aluminum/metal LIM gaskets, putting in plastic is only asking for more problems down the road. also, only use fel-pro or gm LIM gaskets to ensure you don't have a leak.

your grocery list looks pretty good other than the cheapo gasket. my advice, don't do it. i'd rather spend the money on a good gasket then spend a lot of money on a motor.

also if you have the money, might as well do a new pcv valve just while you have the plenum off. i did that to mine when i did the LIM gaskets.
 
Yeah, spend another 10bucks on the Metal LIM gaskets, and do it right..

Dont want to have to waste $40 on a failed plastic LIM gasket.

Another good thing to do, is when you remove the coolant elbows, take a wire brush, or something to clean out the holes with, so theres no pieces of broken plastic in there.
 
You need to add coolant o-rings(might come with LIM gasket) and black RTV to the list as well. Other than that looks good. If you are doing a seafoam treatment you might as well pickup a $4 TB gasket so you can remove the TB and clean the carbon buildup.
 
ok well if i was to go cheap and get the 40$ set, what would i be looking at for the future? i mean like **** if i can get 30k off it and sell it i just need to make it till like august.... im just exploring my options here
 


If you leave the stock thermostat in there it will be fine. Why drop a cooler one in? You could also leave the Seafoam off for now. That alone will net you enough money to get the proper LIM gaskets. Either get the alum. ones or don't do it at all IMHO. Those plastic ones may not make it to August and then you'll really be broke as fvck when you screw up the motor by spinning a bearing. Lets see, $40 LIM gaskets now or $500+ motor later. Have you even called a dealer to see what they want for a set? IIRC, they were only $45 last time I got a set. Check Rock Auto as well for good prices.

And txslow6, not sure what you mean by "coolant o-rings", but the UIM gasket is all one piece, including the gasket area under the TB.

You can still clean the TB w/o removing it and save yourself the $4 TB gasket. Just get some actual TB cleaner (there is a special cleaner for this that does not remove the special coating in the TB. DO NOT use carb/brake cleaner on it.

And yes, black RTV is a MUST, as it must be used in all 4 corners of the LIM gaskets where the LIM meets the heads.
 
small dots in all 4 corners of ur lifter valley, where the gaskets meet. Get extra oil, your going to want to wash down the lifter valley real well. Try to absorb as much coolant as u can,before lifting out the lim (with the L36 lim, its tricky to do). You will get coolant in the lifter valley. change the oil AFTER your motor is back together, and before you start the car, or do any type of cranking. Oil change should be the last thing u do. A 180* t-stat is a good idea.
 
plastic gaskets will be ok if u do green coolant from my understanding.. hell i got 150k out of my plastic gasket in my old motor with dex cool. personally i would spend the extra dollars to get aluminum...
 
My take on this and your brokeness

Skip the T stat
Skip the seafoam
Skip Upper plenum gasket
Skip the rad flush

If you want to flush your rad, pull out your garden hose and flush. A t stat change helps modded supercharged cars. The only change you'd notice is a less efficient car/mpg. The plenum gasket is a big rubbery gasket, it's basically reuseable most of the time if you wipe it down. If yours is horrible, then replace it, otherwise reuse. Seafoam.. you don't need it, and if you did it..you should replace the plugs etc etc.

Add 1 can of TB cleaner. The TB gasket is also reusable. Clean the TB well. I personally use Ultra Copper RTV, buy one tube and it's good for anything on the car, not oil only.

The plastic gaskets should treat you decent for 50K, keep in mind that with the above savings, you could get the aluminums and not need to buy all this stuff again in 50K.
 




It's totally ok man.. I move fast and mispell a lot of stuff.... Just busting your chops Yoda... :th_thumbsup-wink:

Your a bit of a drive from me, but if you need a hand getting this done. LMK... I've got the garage, tools etc etc.
 
gtpinsc said:
plastic gaskets will be ok if u do green coolant from my understanding.. hell i got 150k out of my plastic gasket in my old motor with dex cool. personally i would spend the extra dollars to get aluminum...
Click to expand...

The problem isnt the coolant, its how often u change it.
Dexool is supposed to have longer life but still only lasts so long, most people dont even flush there coolant and put new in and then it eats there gaskets and there internals. i wonder why...
Green coolant will do the same if you dont flush it in the period of time its supposed to last.
Ive talked to a few mechanics and im gonna keep the dexcool, but just flush it again before its recommended life span. So lets say its supposed to last 150,000km, il change it at 100,000-130,000km to be safe.
Same with green coolant. but ive just heard when dexcool goes bad its bad lol.

Although i did go with the aluminum LIM gaskets :P, makes sense. better quality.
 
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