The current ongoing project: re & re the intake gasket.

Well this weekend I drained the coolant from the motor. Had to buy a tub from CDN Tire to drain the green stuff into -- it is now stinking up my garage.

I still have to remove the fuel rail and distributor after which I can FINALLY yank off the manifold. The purpose of this job was, of course, to re & re the intake gaskets and while I was at it to send the injectors in for backflushing. It seems like I am having to remove everything else in sight just to get at the manifold ?!? (Eg: had to remove the alternator to free up the fuel lines to get at the bolt that attaches the freaking rail to the front of the freaking manifold).

Figured I'd use my new Dremel to polish the manifold while I was at it -- who knows ? Might end up with one of those hi-gloss TPIs after all ?

At this rate (about 2-3 hours per weekend) I will be done sometime in early May. Can't seem to find a 5-6 hour stretch to make some real headway.

Anyone else's ride sitting in pieces in a garage right now ?

RP.

 

ya i got about 80 hours into my engine bay now and just about done this (wish i never started) dont try this at home and there still lots to do. but i got my engine on friday

 

palric, I do not recommend polishing the base manifold... ask Trigger... you can hardly see it anyway. I would get it cleaned and bead blasted, and then clear it to keep it easy to clean off. Runners and plenum is what I'd polish... oh, also the fuel rails and water neck. If you need any answers, let me know, I've been there and done that already.

And, yes, removing the alternator to get the dand fuel lines out, to get the rail out.. blah blah blah.. really stinks.

 

new pic almost finished polishing the base and rails

 

 

At this point I'll be happy if the car ever starts again so polishing has been relegated to the least of my concerns.

I have had to remove alot stuff to get at OTHER stuff that needed to be removed. Funny I don't remember it being this much of a hassle with my '88 Formula but it was a TBI with no A/C which is not a very busy engine bay. My '85 IROC was carb'd so it had vacuum hoses everywhere otherwise you could get at everything.

This TPI with A/C setup is a pig to work on but atleast I can see my entire engine -- a guy I work with has a '97 Z28 and all he can see is the top of the motor...

After tearing down the entire TPI I am wondering if I really had to, to get the manifold off ? Couldn't I just have removed the manifold bolts instead leaving the TPI intact and disconnect the fuel ? Well, too late now.

Guess I'm just pissed to be tearing it down when I could be driving it instead. Better now than in summer eh ?

RP.

 

Hey...nice touch on the fuel rails! I never thought of the painting between the fins...I just polished mine and clear coated it.

Looking good.

 

I just noticed something though...perhaps it's only loosely fitted. Your Holley AFPR is pointing the wrong way...you are gonna want the vacuum nipple to be pointing towards the firewall.

 

I pointed mine to the left (if your looking at the engine from the front of the car).

 

I just point mine out the back like the stock one was.

 

if you look real close you will see that there is only 2 screws holding it in. i just put it on to take the pic. but i was conserned that i could not remember the right way it went on. thanks you saved me a post

 

I figured it was just a loose fit for photo opportunity reasons...just wanted to check though before you got it all back together.