Will my LIM not seal well?

[IsaacHayes]

I got a LIM and it appears they took a grinder/something to clean the bottom and top off. I always use just a razor. Will I have to worry about it leaking since perhaps they made it un-flat/lower? I sure hope not, all that work and gaskets... Grrrr. I wish I noticed it sooner after the box got to me, but not much I can do about it anyways.

Should I be very worried?

[IsaacHayes]

bump, anyone with experience with this?

[torq455]

as long as they didn't use a grinding wheel. look for uneven surface. prolly just used a buffing pad--like a scotch bright pad to clean the surface. unless they got carried away, it should be fine. just be sure it's extreamly clean with brake clean, then clean it again. they usually end up leaking anyway, but this will help.

[PCGUY112887]

Why would they end up leaking? I mean isn't the point of putting a new gasket on so it doesn't leak?

[bszopi]

But if the person before him did actually use a grinder to clean the surface off, then there is a chance that the head surface isn't a flat surface. Without a flat surface to seat against, a gasket it almost worthless...

[SappySE107]

Yup, you should check it with a straight edge or take them to a shop to be milled, or at the very least, put on a large sanding belt.

[IsaacHayes]

I can tell that it's been tampered with, it's not super shiny. I don't know how bad of a job they did or what they used. I'll check it with a straight edge and hope for the best. (@*#&$, always crap to worry about. Nothing is simple anymore.

[torq455]

Why would they end up leaking? I mean isn't the point of putting a new gasket on so it doesn't leak?

Well, GM installed gaskets leak. Why wouldn't others leak as well. I've seen hundreds of 2.8-3400's and they all leak either oil/coolant. Just a poor design.

[PCGUY112887]

Yes but they've been redesigned... so they don't end up leaking. That's why I mentioned it in the first place. I know that if the mating surfaces are crap then it will leak but if their good and a revised gasket is used it should be fine for quite a long time.

[IsaacHayes]

screw the revised gaskets, I'm going with all metal felpro.

[tejohnson]

I heard you can get metal UIM gaskets (wish I had the part #), but I had no clue you could get metal LIM gaskets...

[IsaacHayes]

Todd, here ya go: Fel-pro lower intake gasket,
VIN J/E (large port 3100/3400) MS98003T
VIN M (94-99 small port 3100) MS98004T

IMO the uppers don't need to be metal, as they are just paper and seal well. But I bet a metal/rubber upper would be re-useable. The lowers are plastic and just hold the rubber in place. They can crush (updated version with metal tabs prevents this), but mine have also melted/warped allowing the the rubber inserts to unseal/shift.

Here is a picture of one set:

They do cost more than the standard fel-pro oem replacment, but I'm thinking of going this route so I never have to tear down again. Since I'm putting on large intakes, that will be the last time I have the lower off.

[torq455]

yes GM revised, and revised, and revised again--they still leak. i'm just skeptical that THIS revision will work. it'd be nice though.