Intake Manifold Gasket

[sbriar]

I am replacing the head gaskets on a 96 Lumina 3.1 engine.
this is the second time I am replacing them mainly because what I have been told is the dex-cool coolant, I will never put the dex-cool back into my system.
While replacing my head gaskets I am of course replacing my Lower Intake Manifold gasket, I am wondering how I can tell if I need the 1st Design or second Design, can you tell this from the VIN, I am wondering about this because I may have put the wrong one in during my first rebuild and did not notice the difference.
If anyone can help me decifer which desing is used for my engine I would greatly appreciate it.
Thank You
Steve

[NeonKnight]

Just go into Autozone, Tell them what you need, If your engine is a Vin-T makes ure you know. Whatever the 8th letter is in teh Vin is what they will want to know.im not sure about the design but let the kids at the store read of their computer. haha

[richtazz]

Neon, you're a funny guy, Those "experts" at Auto Zoned, oops, mis-spelled that again, know what they're doing!!!! I can tell you by the vin, give me the last 8 of your vin and I can tell you what you have. The other easy way to tell is look at the rocker arms. If they are the old style ball and slot type, you have the first design, if they have roller bearings where they pivot, you have the second design. You can tell right away just by taking off the front valve cover.

[redly1]

just curious..WHEN did you first replace them?

I know GM started installing an updated gasket in Feb 2003. I had it replaced in my Montana (very close to the same motor) and there is a noticable difference in the look of the gasket.

I think they updated the torque spec on the bolts as well

[redly1]

just curious..WHEN did you first replace them?

I know GM started installing an updated gasket in Feb 2003. I had it replaced in my Montana (very close to the same motor) and there is a noticable difference in the look of the gasket.

I think they updated the torque spec on the bolts as well

If I were you, I'd do some research, get the updated gasket part number, and order that directly from the dealer.

my $0.02

[sbriar]

Thanks everyone,
The VIN is 2G1WL52M2T9127821
I have the roller bearings on the rocker arms so I must have the second design. ( this means that I put the wrong Intake Manifold gasket on when I last replaced them last, not good)

I will also get hold of the GM dealer and see if they have a new update on the head gaskets, thanks for your 2 cents.
The last time I replaced the head gaskets was at about 80,000 the gaskets were eaten up pretty bad. I now have 111,000 and need to replace them again.
Do you think my problem may have been from a wrong Intake Gasket?(pumping coolant out of my radaitor)
I also noticed that when removing my Intake manifold the bolts were not very tight, I know I torqued them down the last time to the specified lbs. what would cause them to loosen up and what should I do this time to keep this from happining?
Also do you recomend to change anti-freez from dex-cool to the original green coolant?

Thanks so much for all your help!
Steve
Olathe, Kansas

[kevinb70]

Just a quick note... did this about a year ago, myself.... my replacement gasket had metal studs embedded in the gasket at 2 or 3 spots, which I am sure are there to prevent the gasket from getting crushed, the original gasket had holes where the studs were. I would make sure your replacement gasket has these studs. They are about 1/2 wide and about 1/8" thick (the thickness of the gasket).