Question : '97 LQ 1 Lower Intake installation Questions

[Mjkanejd]

Hello,
I haven't pulled an engine apart since my '67 Camaro 327 so I am 40 years behind on the technology. Hoping someone can help with a couple of questions. I pulled the lower intake off my '97 3.4L LQ1. The ports at the front of the mating surface of the heads are filled with some kind of compound which has a waxey/crystaline consistency. It looks like it is to block them off, as the manifold doesn't appear to have a port at that location. The engine has never been taken apart so it had to be a factory thing. Also, all the manuals refer to placing the "Rubber insulator" (or rubber isolator, depending on which manual) in the Manifold Flange after the bolts are installed but before tightening. I have no idea what they are talking about. I got the manifold gasket set from felpro but there aren't any parts beside the single upper and two lower gaskets.

I can send a photo if that helps.

Thanks much.

[RedZMonte]

Not sure what that is... Pic would help alot... I just did a intake swap... Not sure what the Waxey consistency you are refering to is. Clean both head and manfold serfices, snug the lower intake down with the 2 alignment bolts and install the lower intake manifold bolts and call it a day. (dont forget to remove the 2 lower intake alignment bolts when finished). I used a OEM GM gakset kit which did not come with anything more then the upper and 2 lower (it was cheaper then the felpro kit). it should go back on the same way it came off... Dunno what the manual is refering to about the "Rubber Isolator". Just don't forget to use the 2 intake alignment bolts or your lower intake will not line up to the heads and can cause you to strip a few bolt holes.

S

[Mjkanejd]

Thanks for the offer of help. I've attached 3 photos, showing the right and left heads and the ports in question and one of the intake manifold where it mates to one of the head ports. The stuff feels just like wax and you can scratch it off just like you would wax on a candle. I can't imagine it is straight parafin or wax though as I doubt it could withstand the 190 degrees of the coolant without melting. Is it possible that its a buildup of some kind? All the other water ports are as clean as a whistle, though. It looks like there is no port on the intake where it meets the head ports in question.

[pocket-rocket]

That be the old orange Dex-cool coolant. Clean as much of that as you can out and when you get your engine back together, flush the coolant system and go green.

[Mjkanejd]

Thanks very much. I cleaned it out and everything looks fine.
MJK

[RedZMonte]

Nasty! just did my moms lower intake on her 03 lesabre L36.. had some of that junk in there as well, not quite that bad. Im glad i don't have dex in mine.

S

[Teardrop]

Dex-cool is suppose to be good for about 150,000 miles or 5 years. the problem is, it shortens the life of intake gaskets and possibly head gaskets.
Let us take a vote on that one, concerning green VS orange coolant. Would someone rather the coolant have a long life or the engine gaskets?
THAT'S a hard choice. Someone please tell me GM did away with dex-cool.