91 Z28 intake gaskets
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 5
From: Mount Airy NC
91 Z28 intake gaskets
Hello peeps,
I just picked up a 91 Z28 from a impound lot. (Siezed in a traffic stop).
The car has the 5.7 liter TPI engine. I noticed driving it home that the engine ran a little warm, 220- 240 once in a while if stuck in traffic creeping along. I figured it was due to low speed and would drop back down once up to speed, wich it did, but only to bout 220.
Upon ariving home, i noticed the radiator cap was shot, and pushing some water out the cap, and looking futher ther was a rust tint to the coolant so i decided to flush the system and put on a new cap.
After that was finished, i noticed a slight leak dripping under the car. With more digging, i noticed beside the thermostat housing some antifreeze coming up from under the intake and pooling up, thus running down the block to the floor.
Anyways, my question is, for me being my 1st 3rd gen camaro, and TPI engine i have messed with. Is this common on these cars? and how difficult a job to change out the gaskets?
Any tips of the trade would be appreciated.
Im used to messing with carb engines and not sure if i should tackle this 1 or let a pro do it for me.
the car has 119k miles , but i cant complain I only paid $1k for it.
Thanks
Brad
I just picked up a 91 Z28 from a impound lot. (Siezed in a traffic stop).
The car has the 5.7 liter TPI engine. I noticed driving it home that the engine ran a little warm, 220- 240 once in a while if stuck in traffic creeping along. I figured it was due to low speed and would drop back down once up to speed, wich it did, but only to bout 220.
Upon ariving home, i noticed the radiator cap was shot, and pushing some water out the cap, and looking futher ther was a rust tint to the coolant so i decided to flush the system and put on a new cap.
After that was finished, i noticed a slight leak dripping under the car. With more digging, i noticed beside the thermostat housing some antifreeze coming up from under the intake and pooling up, thus running down the block to the floor.
Anyways, my question is, for me being my 1st 3rd gen camaro, and TPI engine i have messed with. Is this common on these cars? and how difficult a job to change out the gaskets?
Any tips of the trade would be appreciated.
Im used to messing with carb engines and not sure if i should tackle this 1 or let a pro do it for me.
the car has 119k miles , but i cant complain I only paid $1k for it.
Thanks
Brad
Registered User
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 78
From: Newport News, Va.
Hope this helps....
Hey man....welcome to the board.
It not hard at all to change out your intake gaskets on a TPI engine. My suggestion would be to label everything you disconnect....from the Air Temp Sensor under the plenum.........to the Temp Guage Sensor on the front of the manifold. I had to change my gaskets out when I bought mine back in '95, I used masking tape and a Sharpie to document where they went.
You will also need a set of Torx bits to remove all of the bolts. Remember also that if you need to pull your distributor, when it comes time to reset the timing you will need to by-pass the ECM. There is a wire on the passenger side up towards the fire wall, should be brown with a black stripe. Just break the circuit at the weatherpack connector and this will bypass the ecm, once the timing is reset you can re-connect and then clear the ECM since it will store a trouble code. This can be done by disconnecting the battery.
Remember to torque everthing back to specs since there are plenty of places for a vacume leak on a TPI engine.
All of the weatherpack connectors only fit one way, so if you are having to force anything, slow down and take a second look. Be prepared for breakage since our cars are getting up there in age and plastic gets brittle.
You can pick up a full top end TPI gasket set from Jegs. (www.jegs.com) Its made by MR. Gasket and includes everyting you will need to replace when changing your intake gaskets for a TPI engine. It falls under part number 720-5851.
I have a factory service manual for my Z-28 (1992) and they for the most part are the same cars so let me know if you want any specs or if you get stuck. I do ALOT of lurking on the board so I will be around.
There is a tremendous amount of knowledge and expertise on these forums as well as some really great guys and gals. Welcome aboard.
Frat
Honolulu
It not hard at all to change out your intake gaskets on a TPI engine. My suggestion would be to label everything you disconnect....from the Air Temp Sensor under the plenum.........to the Temp Guage Sensor on the front of the manifold. I had to change my gaskets out when I bought mine back in '95, I used masking tape and a Sharpie to document where they went.
You will also need a set of Torx bits to remove all of the bolts. Remember also that if you need to pull your distributor, when it comes time to reset the timing you will need to by-pass the ECM. There is a wire on the passenger side up towards the fire wall, should be brown with a black stripe. Just break the circuit at the weatherpack connector and this will bypass the ecm, once the timing is reset you can re-connect and then clear the ECM since it will store a trouble code. This can be done by disconnecting the battery.
Remember to torque everthing back to specs since there are plenty of places for a vacume leak on a TPI engine.
All of the weatherpack connectors only fit one way, so if you are having to force anything, slow down and take a second look. Be prepared for breakage since our cars are getting up there in age and plastic gets brittle.
You can pick up a full top end TPI gasket set from Jegs. (www.jegs.com) Its made by MR. Gasket and includes everyting you will need to replace when changing your intake gaskets for a TPI engine. It falls under part number 720-5851.
I have a factory service manual for my Z-28 (1992) and they for the most part are the same cars so let me know if you want any specs or if you get stuck. I do ALOT of lurking on the board so I will be around.
There is a tremendous amount of knowledge and expertise on these forums as well as some really great guys and gals. Welcome aboard.
Frat
Honolulu
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 295
From: Orlando FL
What he said... lol but uhm, TPI's are no fun to take off and re-install. If you need to replace the runner/plenum/etc gaskets, thats like $150 in gaskets right there too. It can be done. just make sure u know where everything goes n be aware that there are alotta pain in the *** bolts to get to.
Registered User
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 78
From: Newport News, Va.
The gasket set I referenced above costs $16.99 and it includes everything for an intake gasket job.
Intake gaskets
Throttlebody gasket
Upper and Lower Plenum Gaskets
Distributer Gaskets
End Rail Gaskets (I recommend RTV)....and a few others.
I agree that it was not fun the first time, however, I got to know my car up close and personnel.
No tellin what a mechanic would charge you.
Pain in the *** bolts is an understatement I also took pictures the first time to aid in helping me bolt it back together.
You will have to remove the valve covers to get to the lower intake bolts and pay attention to the different lengths as well.
Give it a shot.
Frat
Honolulu
Hey Nitro thats a nice website....I am gonna send some business your way.
Intake gaskets
Throttlebody gasket
Upper and Lower Plenum Gaskets
Distributer Gaskets
End Rail Gaskets (I recommend RTV)....and a few others.
I agree that it was not fun the first time, however, I got to know my car up close and personnel.
No tellin what a mechanic would charge you.
Pain in the *** bolts is an understatement
I also took pictures the first time to aid in helping me bolt it back together. You will have to remove the valve covers to get to the lower intake bolts and pay attention to the different lengths as well.
Give it a shot.
Frat
Honolulu
Hey Nitro thats a nice website....I am gonna send some business your way.
Last edited by fratsit; Jun 1, 2003 at 03:39 PM.
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,291
From: Teeter-tottering between Brilliance and Insanity
Ill let you in now so your not pulling on the runners for 20 minutes after you think youve got all the bolts out. There is a bolt in each runner in the back that you have to get from the other side.
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