Hi all,

Successfully got the plenum out, polished it, ported it and now the hard bit- getting it back in!!

I didn't losen the bottom runner bolts as can't get to them all. But was enough to get the plenum out. The problem I have is that with it being so tight in there, I can't get in my new felpro gaskets and the plenum. I screwed one of the gaskets trying to get it all back in so have ordered more.

Question is should I use contact adhesive on the top of the runners and the gasket, allow to dry and then spray a light coat of WD40 on the plenum sides so that I have some give?

Any advise is welcome as I don't want to ruin another pair of gaskets

Thanks,
Felix

 

Loosen the bottom runner bolts. That is the best way to get it in there. Some of them are a great deal of fun to get to, but, in the end, that is about the only way your are really going to be able to get the plenum back on, with no vacuum leaks.

 

Thanks- are there 10 bolts in total each side? 4 on top 6 on bottom?

How do you re-tighten the bolts that face the other way once the plenum is back in?

Is there nooo way I can leave those bottom bolts alone and slide in the gaskets?

 

Need a torx bit on a 6" extention from the opposite side under the plenum.Removing the rocker covers makes things easier

 

yea if you have tall rocker covers youll def have to take them off. Iv tryed this b4 too but you have to loosen all the bolts. they were very easy to get too on mine. I have had it off alot.the bolts that go in from the oppiset side are easy just look at them an youll see a stright path you can get to them with a long extension and good torx bit. Just start sticking in in and youll find the path. Trust us lol....

 

It seems like an impossible task, but the more times you do this the easier it gets. Take your time and just loosen them...don't need to take the bottom bolts out.

 

Yea the only way your going to get the plenum back on is loosening the lower bolts on the intake manifold. You dont have to loosen them all the way maybe about half and it will def give you enough play to put the upper part on. and dont use any silicon or anything on those gaskets when putting them in.

 

Awesome.. thanks for the advice. Was kinda hoping somebody would come on and start saying that in 10 years they never had to losen the lower bolts. It makes the job a lot more intricate.

Hot darn

 

I use either a wooble extension or a universal joint and it makes life a little better.. that is what i used a couple weeks ago putting mine back on

 

yeah, I remember I when I got the plenum off and new Felpros, it was a hassle. But I never removed (or loosened) the runners. The Felpros are a bit thick (thicker than the stock ones) so I think I ended up sandwiching the gaskets between a 2 pieces of wood and using a bench vice to squish them a bit, then I got them on there without loosening the runners. I didn't even think you could loosen the runners since there's that one bolt on the other side (under the fuel rail) of the runners...

 

That's what I wanted to hear, thank you. Mine were Felpros and they are v thick. I think the newer ones will be thinner so thanks again. Rock on.

 

Nothing to it with a long 3/8" extention and a torx bit on the end .You don't have to touch fuel rails ; they stay attached to the intake

 

Ahhh vetoez, I was just getting all excited by the prospect of not having to losen the bottom bolts and now you sway me again!

 

Also if it is tight, is there any reason not to oil up a side of the gaskets to enable some movement?

 

I remember I took a set of runners from a junkyard car. I took all the outside bolts off but they still would not budge at all, so I kept looking for a last bolt maybe hidden under a runner but nothing. It wasn't until I was looking at the fuel pressure regulator that I noticed there was another bolt on the inner part of the intake under the fuel rail that needs to be removed. I figured it would be dang near impossible to get that bolt with the plenum on. I have to do some fpr work today and I'll take a picture of it so you'll know what I mean...

 

If I were you Id consider getting some new hex head bolts while youre at it. I wish i had when I did my fuel injectors, those torx head ones that come stock are way too soft imo. Of course Im not a fan of torx head bolts anywhere on anything lol.

edit: I was even using a snap-on bit when I did mine (so not a low quality bit) and it still seemed like it wanted to slip to much if you didnt push it in and hold it as tight as humanly possible when going at it. A quick search can turn up results and info on the replacement bolts if you go that route.