So I work at a Ford dealership (service desk) I just started there like 2 months ago...I know a good amount of trouble shooting on cars but not everything. My boss said that my 1993 Z28 Camaro (LT1) is leaking oil out of the rear intake gasket and the valve cover gaskets...I know how to take the valve covers off but will it be hard to do on my car, without having to take a bunch of stuff off? I know that your going to have to take the whole top half off to replace the rear intake gasket but what about the valve covers? How much is it for the gaskets?

Thanks!

 

There isn't any front or rear intake gaskets for these cars, really. Sometimes a gasket set will come with some, but it's better just to use some RTV there instead since it fills up the corners better.

The valve covers are easy, but you might have to remove the alternator to get to the passenger side. Those gaskets you should be able to find anywhere. If those are leaking, though, you may have a bent valve cover as well, so check that.

For the intake, you're going to have to remove everything that's on top of it. I find it easier to remove the fuel lines and leave the injectors in the intake. Remove all of the vacuum hoses. Again, I'd recommend taking off the throttle body as well although you might be able to leave it on. Shoebox has a cam removal writeup that involves removing the intake, so maybe that will help you more. He also has plenty of pics to go with it. I would definitely bookmark that page.

www.shbox.com
http://shbox.com/ci/cam_removal.html

 

the rear intake manifold leak is notorious for lt1 cars. it's an easy fix with a $20 set of gaskets for the intake. and a decent sized tube of RTV of course. spread a 3/4" bead across the front and rear IM mounting pads on the block. set the IM gaskets in place on the heads. CAREFULLY set the IM back onto the heads/block and torque properly. you'll never have an upper oil leak again...as long as you properly mess with the valve covers.

for the valve covers...get the felpro replacements that are rubber. remove the VC (alternator first on pass's side, and the EGR off the driver's), remove the 4 bolts, remove the covers, remove the old crap gaskets and replace with new. again...as long as you torque properly and dont overheat the engine...you'll never have an upper oil leak again. also, you can re-use the blue gaskets over again if you do a rocker upgrade.

 

What do I have to do to get to the "rear intake manifold"? what all is going to have to be taken off? Can I do this in one day if I have good help?

 

Shoebox has the procedure outlined in his cam removal tutorial: http://shbox.com/ci/cam_removal.html It is a job that can be done in a day, some people who have done a few of them can get the job done in a couple hours or less.