How hard is it to take off and install the intake while the motor is still in the car. 97 z28.
Have an oil leak and i want to fix it... also how hard is the timing cover?

Thanks

 

Its easy. Just unhook the intake elbow, the fuel lines, and all the electrical connections(injectors, map sensor, TPS, IAT, ect.... Make sure to label them so you can find their locations when its time to put it back together). Then take the twelve 9/16ths bolts out of the intake. Make note of which bolts are used as studs, that will also come in handy during the install process. There are two 3/8ths bolts on the back of the intake for the EGR so dont forget about those. Other than that, just a little tug and it should come up. Clean the surfaces real good and apply the new gaskets to the heads and be generous with the Permatex ultra copper RTV on the front and back of the block and drop the intake on nice a straight down(a friend comes in very handy). Put it back together using the tq values and sequence found on shoebox's site and let it sit over night and you should be ready to rock and roll in the morning.

 

Timing chain cover is more of a PITA as you need to drop the oil pan to do it properly. The bottom of the timing chain cover overlaps with the oil pan. Also the seal where the water pump drive gear exits the cover is a PITA.

 

I have a TON of pics in a Word file that shows all the steps (and all the hoses/connectors sequentially labeled), but it's a big file (93MB). I'd be glad to share it if I could get it to you.

A shop manual is a great help too. Definitely worth the $.

 

Removal of intake and front cover are addressed in my cam removal/install guides on my Tech Page.