Thread: Help With My Daily!

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I know this is a far cry from a hotrod, but I need my daily driver to run well too. SO here it is.

I have a 3.1 that just puked an intake gasket. My question is this.... on the lower part of the intake (lower plenum/the side that sits on the head) should i silicon the heck out of it around the water jackets? I know on the old stuff we goop the crap out of it. But this thing keeps eating intake gaskets, and I dont want to do this job over again in 4 thousand miles!!!

So silicon around the water jackets? The shop manual just say lay it there dry, but it sure seems like a week spoy that could get really hot and cook.

So anyone that has some know how with these HORRIBLE motors point me in the right direction.

3.1's are noted for the intake leaks, use black RTV

sounds like you may have some warping issues on one or both surfaces.Probably not what you want to hear Good Luck

Dexcool eats the gaskets up. GM reportedly has redesigned the gaskets. Read about it here.
http://autotechrepair.suite101.com/article.cfm/050106

Originally Posted by 33delivery

sounds like you may have some warping issues on one or both surfaces.Probably not what you want to hear Good Luck

I was thinking the same thing. But the intake is alum. and I am bolting to cast....so i was thinking maybe as it heats up it exspands and since I dont have any RTV there, thats where it leaks.

I hate this motor. I need to find a LS1, or just order that damn ls2 crate.lol

Fel Pro makes a gasket set that has been redesigned. Metal and rubber.
Have had no problems with these!

Run the newer Fel-pro's. Electrolysis from dexcool and some other green glycol based coolants is what is causing it. You will do much bettr with the newer style gasket. And go sparingly with the silicone. No plugged radiators and thermostats. As a note for all interested, use a digital DVOM and test the coolant to check on condition of coolant. 300 milliamps is max and at that time you starting to get excessive breakdown in the cooling system of parts and gaskets.