digitaloutsider Posted December 10, 2005 Report Posted December 10, 2005 I'm posting this in powertrain because the W-bodies share this engine too. The 3400 in the Montana has a leaking LIM. There's coolant in the oil, and it looks like a milky sludge (seen it many a time before). All I really need to know is what gasket people use most (Felpro, GM OEM, etc.) and what other parts or speciality tools are required. Thanks guys.. Quote
birdman Posted December 10, 2005 Report Posted December 10, 2005 i alawys use felpro and they havent caused me any problems yet. Quote
TeeJay3800 Posted December 10, 2005 Report Posted December 10, 2005 Felpro has worked fine for my valve covers, but I don't know about head/intake gaskets since I haven't had to do that work yet. Quote
Prospeeder Posted December 10, 2005 Report Posted December 10, 2005 I'm posting this in powertrain because the W-bodies share this engine too. The 3400 in the Montana has a leaking LIM. There's coolant in the oil, and it looks like a milky sludge (seen it many a time before). All I really need to know is what gasket people use most (Felpro, GM OEM, etc.) and what other parts or speciality tools are required. Thanks guys.. GM oem, because they have corrected the LIM problem now Quote
93CutlassSupreme Posted December 10, 2005 Report Posted December 10, 2005 I'd use Fel Pro gaskets. No problems with Fel Pro's on my UIM Quote
Guest TurboSedan Posted December 10, 2005 Report Posted December 10, 2005 for 3x00, i would stick with GM. Quote
manitcor Posted December 10, 2005 Report Posted December 10, 2005 Felpro also updated thier design to fix the cracking issue however they took a different approach. GM uses metal tabs around the bolt holes in the gasket to prevent cracking from over torquing (the reason for the cracking). Felpro used a different kind of plastic for the frame and made it a bit beefier in those areas. Both styles make use of a revised rubber/urthane material for the seal. You can use either but I would stick with GM. Also be sure to get the revised LIM bolts annd have a GM tech print the TSB for you which has the revised torque spec and procedure. Have fun. Quote
digitaloutsider Posted December 12, 2005 Author Report Posted December 12, 2005 Bought the gasket kit and bolts from GM. Set me back about $125. I'm gonna get ahold of my buddy who has his own garage. I'm not doing this in my front yard. Quote
GP1138 Posted December 12, 2005 Report Posted December 12, 2005 Bought the gasket kit and bolts from GM. Set me back about $125. I'm gonna get ahold of my buddy who has his own garage. I'm not doing this in my front yard. Glad you bought the GM ones. Good luck with it. Quote
White93z34 Posted December 13, 2005 Report Posted December 13, 2005 i like the design of the GM ones, i'd like to see a set of felpro gaskets for comparision however. Quote
Canada Posted December 13, 2005 Report Posted December 13, 2005 I did mine in my parking lot. Took me about a 12 pack to get it finished. The proper torque specs should be on a sheet with the intake gaskets. Quote
slick Posted December 13, 2005 Report Posted December 13, 2005 Yep, definately shouldn't take more than 3 hours to do. Quote
White93z34 Posted December 13, 2005 Report Posted December 13, 2005 well your average w-body has alot more room to work with then the cramped quaters that a u vans got so i can see that taking awhile longer. Quote
slick Posted December 13, 2005 Report Posted December 13, 2005 well your average w-body has alot more room to work with then the cramped quaters that a u vans got so i can see that taking awhile longer. Ah... crap, I was thinking this was his cutty. Guess I need to read more. Quote
digitaloutsider Posted December 13, 2005 Author Report Posted December 13, 2005 well your average w-body has alot more room to work with then the cramped quaters that a u vans got so i can see that taking awhile longer. Ah... crap, I was thinking this was his cutty. Guess I need to read more. Yeah.. it's in the damn Montana. Ughghgh.h,.ht,rhther,. I might get up the gumption to do it tomorrow. Quote
Brian P Posted December 13, 2005 Report Posted December 13, 2005 Other than the wiper transmission getting in the way, and the alternator bracket bolts being barely visible w/o a mirror, it's not much harder. Been there done that. May wanna change out the spark plugs and wires if they haven't been done, at the same time since there'll be a good amount of extra room for the rears. Quote
digitaloutsider Posted December 15, 2005 Author Report Posted December 15, 2005 I hate this engine so much.. The only thing I hate worse than the 3400 right now is the stupid vehicle they decided to try and shove it in. Quote
digitaloutsider Posted December 16, 2005 Author Report Posted December 16, 2005 I've given up on this for now.. I don't have the patience to even look at that stupid POS at the moment. If this was in a Grand Am or something I wouldn't care. It's a nightmare in that goddamn U-van.. Quote
OldSkoolGP Posted December 20, 2005 Report Posted December 20, 2005 GM did update the design of the LIM gaksets after 1998 I think, and the new ones are much stronger. I've never used anything but the factory gaskets so that's all I can speak to. Quote
Prospeeder Posted December 20, 2005 Report Posted December 20, 2005 GM did update the design of the LIM gaksets after 1998 I think, and the new ones are much stronger. I've never used anything but the factory gaskets so that's all I can speak to. try 2003, 99-2002 1/2 all have the problem, but the 2003+ grand ams dont Quote
Canada Posted December 23, 2005 Report Posted December 23, 2005 You don't have to pull the rear valve cover off to do a lower intake job.....this means the coil packs and alternator don't have to come off either. If its a 'traditional' 3100 or 3400, the intake leaks. Haven't seen any of the Equinox or Z Malibu cars yet. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.