1996 Grand Am 3100 Lower Intake Manifold Gasket...

[tblake]

Hey guys, friend of mine wants me to replace her lower intake gasket in her Grand Am 3100. Below is a list of the parts I think I'm gonna need, but I feel like I'm missing something... I've done a bunch of these 3100's before so its not new to me, but anyone have any pointers?

Stuff I think I'll need...

Fel-Pro Intake Gaskets (ms98003t)
O-Rings (Lower intake heater hose, Waterpump, dist dummy shaft)
Coolant - $15.00
Oil & Filter - $25.00
Thermostat & o-ring - $15.00
EGR Valve Gaskets??? - $15.00 (not sure what type egr valve this car has)

Also, I know there is a tool I can get to allow me not have to remove the rocker arm bolts and just slip out the push rods, anyone know where I can pick one of these up, or anyone have any instruction on how to use them?

Thanks in advace guys for any information!!!

[tblake]

Found the rocker arm tool, Lisle tools carries them for just under 20.00. I ordered one, it should be in tomorrow.

[richtazz]

In 96, Gm used both the roller rocker and ball and socket versions of the 3100 in Grand Ams. First you have to determine which engine you have in this car. If it is the more common roller rocker engine, the M 98003T Fel-Pro gasket is not correct, it fits 3.4-E motors and the 3.1-J, not the 3.1-M. You will need the MS98004T. If this car has the ball and socket rocker arms, then the MS98004T will not fit either. You will have to settle for the OEM plastic design intake set and separate valve cover gaskets for that motor. There are two EGR gaskets, one between the valve and adaptor, and one between the adaptor and plenum. I also always put a paper small-block chevy distributor gasket on the oil pump drive shaft as extra insurance against future leaks (Fel-Pro #70194). I'm not sure that tool will work on roller rockers either, I'd just loosen the rocker studs and re-torque to proper spec when done. I don't see where that tool saves much time. Don't forget to clean the old intake bolts and apply new loc-tite to the threads before re-assembly.

[zeta4]

I just performed the LIM on my mother's 01 alero for the first time and used the Lisle tool. It is more as to what your preferance is. I did not want mess with the disassemble/reassemble process for the rockers, and felt this tool save me some time.

FYI, I also fashioned paper gaskets that were in the shape of the end ridges where the RTV seal is placed. It's overkill, but I did not want to perform this repair again. I just sandwiched the gasket material between layers of Ultra Black RTV, dropped the LIM in, and torqued it down. Everything stayed in place with no leaks so far.

I also placed the distributor gasket for good measure while I was in there as well as a 180 degree thermastat and bypassed the throttle body coolant lines. The car runs alot cooler down here in the stop-&-go Florida traffic.

It felt real good when the car fired up on the first try. The car ran a little rough for the first 30-60 seconds; however, it evened out as it warmed up.

Make sure turn the heater on full blast to help get rid of the air bubbles that may get trapped in the coolant system as part of the fluid change, also use the bleeder valve if there is one present on the 3100.

[tblake]

Thanks Guys for the heads up. I appreciate it...

[tblake]

Talked to the owner today. Turns out the car is a 1998 Grand Am.