1. The exhaust manifold gaskets in the kit were identical but one was too short on the back bolt hole passenger side as the exhaust manifolds have a slightly different bolt pattern of one bolt (rear pass bolt). I just snipped the gasket end off and used it around the other end of the last bolt so that the manifold clamped down evenly. The ports are identical as are the rest of the bolt locations. Any issue with this creative gasket cutting?

2. Wire loom. I am really fighting my complete restoration urges. I am going to paint up the engine bay with some very nice matching paint and clear coat and despite my willpower, I spent an hour with 1/2 gallon of full strength simple green, scrapers, scrubbers, paper towels, and removed 30 years of oil and dirt from the crossmember, lower areas and tunnel. I am already going to remove the brake booster to get to firewall to add the master cylinder cutout. Then I looked at my cracked wire loom. Yes its old and in some places greasy. I have an urge to replace it but I wonder if this is a bigger job than I anticipate. Who sells the good stuff and where do I get that cool tape that they used to complete the joints? Maybe I should buy a new one entirely?

3. Miraculously, I saved and cleaned up the OEM heat shielding on the manifolds but the plastic spark plug loom clips are broken. Does anyone make replacements?

Exhaust manifold gasket trimming

 

Have you ever seen an original thirdgen with exhaust gaskets? Throw that **** away.
The 'good' splitloom is the variety with the gray stripe. Google it.
The good tape is the same kind of deal, the real thing doesn't have an adhesive backing. Right off hand, I'm thinking the last couple rolls I bought came off ebay, but it really doesn't matter. Google, shop around, plenty of sources.

 

Remflex for exhaust gaskets.

3M Temflex for regular electrical tape. If you want the really good stuff look at Tesa. It's used by many OEM's.

GD

 

Huh. Now that I think about it, you are right, there were no gaskets on my LB9. Huh. Ok then I'll just remove them. Do I need the factory lock nut tabs? I saved those also but figured I don't need them.

Ok, I found out gray stripe is Nylon (Red is UV resistant, and Blue stripe is high temp). But the nylon outperforms both but it is more money.


And I found the Tesa tape on Amazon. Good prices.

Also, I want to buy some constant tension hose clamps (they look nice) for the upper radiator hose to the radiator. What size is that upper hose at the radiator? 1-1/2"

 

Never liked plastic looms
Bought a few rolls of the GM tar type covers that are gathering dust .Lasts forever and has a nice factory look to it. Ill never use the rest of what I have.

 

Hmmm. Want to sell the extra you have? I could go for that as well.