Wow. That was exciting....
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Wow. That was exciting....
I had to change the left (drivers side) exhaust manifold gasket over the holiday weekend.
It was so exciting... especially when I realized that GM expects me to remove the AC Compressor so I can remove the last support strut... Oh, and removing the battery so I can reach the last bolt at the way back...
I lost one 10mm deepwell socket... it was sentimental to me... it fell down into the firewall somewhere... never to be seen again. damnit
All in all, the task took about 4 hours, but I didn't kill myself. Wednesday afterwork, I jacked up the car, then removed the tires and the brakes (hoped to turn the rotors, but one is gnarly, so I ordered new from NAPA). Thursday morn, I removed the left cat (chasing the leak, I wanted to be sure the cat was ok, it was) and took the engine apart. I was able to swap out the gasket and button up the engine compartment on Thursday, that left putting the brakes back together (waiting on rotors, should be in this AM).
Not a bad project... just requires taking everything apart!
I will do some photo documenting and share it as a C4 Guru tech tip early next year!
It was so exciting... especially when I realized that GM expects me to remove the AC Compressor so I can remove the last support strut... Oh, and removing the battery so I can reach the last bolt at the way back...
I lost one 10mm deepwell socket... it was sentimental to me... it fell down into the firewall somewhere... never to be seen again. damnit
All in all, the task took about 4 hours, but I didn't kill myself. Wednesday afterwork, I jacked up the car, then removed the tires and the brakes (hoped to turn the rotors, but one is gnarly, so I ordered new from NAPA). Thursday morn, I removed the left cat (chasing the leak, I wanted to be sure the cat was ok, it was) and took the engine apart. I was able to swap out the gasket and button up the engine compartment on Thursday, that left putting the brakes back together (waiting on rotors, should be in this AM).
Not a bad project... just requires taking everything apart!
I will do some photo documenting and share it as a C4 Guru tech tip early next year!
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
The Victor gaskets I used are 1 piece...
And you are right, the PS isn't that bad... but on the later LT1s, the manifold is obscured by the AC compressor, the ASR module and all the plumbing for the AIR system. It's really tight in there.
And you are right, the PS isn't that bad... but on the later LT1s, the manifold is obscured by the AC compressor, the ASR module and all the plumbing for the AIR system. It's really tight in there.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,212
Likes: 10
From: Sun City West Az
Originally Posted by bogus
The Victor gaskets I used are 1 piece...
And you are right, the PS isn't that bad... but on the later LT1s, the manifold is obscured by the AC compressor, the ASR module and all the plumbing for the AIR system. It's really tight in there.
And you are right, the PS isn't that bad... but on the later LT1s, the manifold is obscured by the AC compressor, the ASR module and all the plumbing for the AIR system. It's really tight in there.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,471
Likes: 2
From: 1993 Quasar Blue 'vert Scottsdale AZ
Originally Posted by ittlfly
Hey Bogus....just like having a good woman.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,625
Likes: 4
From: Director of Bands
St. Jude Donor '08
Originally Posted by bogus
The Victor gaskets I used are 1 piece...
And you are right, the PS isn't that bad... but on the later LT1s, the manifold is obscured by the AC compressor, the ASR module and all the plumbing for the AIR system. It's really tight in there.
And you are right, the PS isn't that bad... but on the later LT1s, the manifold is obscured by the AC compressor, the ASR module and all the plumbing for the AIR system. It's really tight in there.
I've learned that these things called "wobble extensions" sometimes make life a little easier. Oh, and Gearwrenches. Wish I had known about those things when I changed plugs (and everything else) the first time....
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,510
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
Originally Posted by bogus
I lost one 10mm deepwell socket... it was sentimental to me... it fell down into the firewall somewhere... never to be seen again. damnit
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,019
Likes: 568
From: Conroe Texas
Originally Posted by bogus
I lost one 10mm deepwell socket... it was sentimental to me... it fell down into the firewall somewhere... never to be seen again. damnit
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
The 10mm is part of a set that my late brother gave me, geez, 15 years ago! I was actually attached to the stupid thing... it's sad that it is lost. I hope to find it when I remove the engine or do a clutch swap.
I might still find it... I will go looking tomorrow.
I might still find it... I will go looking tomorrow.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 454
Likes: 1
From: Lompoc CA
Originally Posted by Lichen
Yea, like a high-maintain woman. I'm just haven't adjusted to having to remove half of the accessories to get to one bolt. I think that the major objective of auto designers is to make it as hard as possible for an individual to do his own work.
What they really don't want you to know is that they build the entire car around the heater core.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,179
Likes: 673
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
Originally Posted by Sleazy Rider
sure you will...as you are driving down the freeway at 70, it'll work loose and come out under the car and kick up to crack the drivers windshield behind you.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,424
Likes: 1
From: Tucson Az
St. Jude Contributor
Originally Posted by Lichen
..... I think that the major objective of auto designers is to make it as hard as possible for an individual to do his own work.
Here's another thought for you'all............. Reverse-engineering! I'll explain.
Engineering departments that have been in the business forever... They reached a point where (they've been at this point for many years now) can engineer past the current problem, and engineer-it for failure at some point-in-time in the future.
Designed-obsolecence.
Ever stop and think about how much $$$ is made at the dealers parts counter??? Mind-boggling isn't it?
I know,,,,,,,
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 12,182
Likes: 1
From: Partying with the Cowboys cheerleaders in Mt. Olive, New Jersey
Originally Posted by nonetooclose
What they really don't want you to know is that they build the entire car around the heater core.
That was absolutely unpleasant to say the least.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,510
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
Originally Posted by CoolVette86
Yeah, what bogus went through is tough, the #1 toughest thing I've ever had to do was my heater core. That was absolutely unpleasant to say the least.
That was absolutely unpleasant to say the least.
. And I am not about to pay big $$$ to have it done at a shop..
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,146
Likes: 3
From: The Motor City
Originally Posted by bogus
The 10mm is part of a set that my late brother gave me, geez, 15 years ago! I was actually attached to the stupid thing... it's sad that it lost. I hope to find it when I remove the engine or do a clutch swap.I might still find it... I will go looking tomorrow.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
if this makes you all feel better, my 92 has 140k miles on it and the heater core is a-ok.
I think the trick is to keep the coolant fresh.
I changed the heater core in a friends' moms 1981 Escort. It took all of 20 minutes.
I think the trick is to keep the coolant fresh.
I changed the heater core in a friends' moms 1981 Escort. It took all of 20 minutes.