ICamaro

I was told that you could put head gaskets on a 3.4 with the motor still in the car, is this true? The only question is the where do you start? It's that I dont know what to do but more like where to start, like how do you remove the upper plume chamber off the intake manifold and the fuel rail? Any help will be appreciated or tips and advice, it's my first time to put head gaskets on my camaro. I'd like to fix it myself i have the skill and tools but like i said its so small and compact in there I dont know where to start or hoe to remove the plume. My Haynes Manual doesn't give a clear description on how to. i know it's a 3.4 but it's all i have and i love my camaro either with a v6 or v8, the v8 will come later trust me.... Thanks for any help.

viper98885

The upper intake manifold and fuel rail will come out together. The accessory brackets will come off of the front of the engine. Once the upper intake is off, you will be surprised how much free room you have in there.

ICamaro

Thanks for the info, I have fount some pics a 3.4 out of a car for reference and have not started to tear down yet due to just got mom out of the hospital. So the upper manifold and fuel rail is one piece? And my motor blew the gaskets slowly by leaking out the exhaust . So going on that, then the rest of the block and the bearing and seal should still be good? I am still going to have the heads checked out for cracks as a precaution. This is to get me going for while so i'll be able to have a working car, but I do have a 3.4 to rebuild to replace this one with all new bearings,rings and seals.

ICamaro

Another thought. Which would be better metal or rubber radiator hoses? I think that the metal will keep it cooler and last longer but at the same time it might keep it too cool? So any thoughts?

viper98885

The bearings and seals should be okay. The upper intake and fuel rail are seperate pieces, but when removing from the car, they will come out together. You will want to remove the bolts that hold the fuel rail to the intake manifold so that you can pull the injectors from their holes on the lower intake. Then, remove the bolts from the upper intake manifold and remove both together.
Use rubber hoses for your radiator hoses. Metal will give you no benefit and you need the ability for flex between the radiator and engine.

ICamaro

do you have any pic of how to remove the fuel rail or any tips?

rsm93z28

Please visit www.60degreev6.com (and join to post and ask questions) and post your head-gasket replacement questions, directing them in particular to a young man named Max (tkoforpresident). Max has a 1994 Pontiac Firebird identical under the hood with the L-32 VIN "S" 3.4L 207 CID engine and has done this job several times and memorialized his work in photographs available online via his public Photobucket. He is always interested in offering help and his knowledge and experience will help you out a great deal! There may also be a "sticky" there on this very subject and much more engine repair specific informations as well.