Intake Gasket replace

[jakegday]

Hey guys. im very familiar with internet forums, and because of that, i did lots of searching before asking. I was actually surprised when i could not find a single thing related to what im looking for. leads me to believe the intake gaskets on these cars are much better then the ones on my GM 3800.

ill be attempting to replace the intake gasket on my brothers 95 eagle talon (2.0 liter non turbo) this weekend. He believes the engine is the 420a, hence me posting in this section.

I was just wondering if anyone could give me some information, or a link to information, on how to go about this? I have the haynes manual for this car, but it doesnt really tell me anything i couldnt figure out by looking under the hood. Absolutely no details in those books, .

Besides a written procedure, i was also wondering if anyone had any tips/advice for any common problems i may run into throughout this job?

Thanks in advance!

 

[silvreclips]

You are correct the car has a 420a motor. The intake manifold is a bit of a pain to get off with the engine in the car but its do able. The intake manifold is actually 2 pieces, the first part bolts to the head and then there is another section that bolts the plenum to the runners. I normally remove the entire thing as 1 piece because I can get to all the bolts from the top of the car. But if you want to you can get under the car and remove the bolts for the upper half of the intake first and then remove the lower intake a little easier. If you have some wrenching experience you will have no issues.

 

[aodioxp]

What a coincidence. I am about to do the same thing and found your post.
From What I have searched and the Manual, there are 8 bolts holding the lower intake to the block. 2 more brackets holding the intake.
The problem is, I tried to reach all 8 bolts from top but seems really hard with all the wires and fuel injectors in the way. Do I have to move the fuel line first according to the manual? Or is there an easier way to remove all the eight bolts? and the bolt size?10mm?
About the bracket, I really don't know which it is. Is this black box removable? The intake seems to be bolted to this plastic box, then bolted to the block.

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[jayson427]

The black box is your vacuum box. Which you can take off if you want. Just remove the throttle cable and unplug the fuel injector sensors. It should be easy from there. All the bolts should be 10mm. I like to use a swivel extension which gives you better access.

 

[grothe3297venge]

I literally just did this about 4 hours ago. I had to remove the vacuum box to get to the second set of nuts behind the brackets of the black vacuum box.

 

[aodioxp]

I literally just did this about 4 hours ago. I had to remove the vacuum box to get to the second set of nuts behind the brackets of the black vacuum box.

I tried to remove the vacuum box but failed. 2 nuts bot and 1 nut top removed. But the top of the box seems to be bonded to the intake manifold. I tried 4 hours and still cannot get it off. Any help?

 

[jayson427]

Like I was saying take the throttle cable out and the injector sensors off. Take the top half of the intake off then continue from there.

 

[aodioxp]

Like I was saying take the throttle cable out and the injector sensors off. Take the top half of the intake off then continue from there.

Thanks. I do get the eight bolts out with a swirl . But cannot get the manifold stay off. With the box in the way, it is really hard to remove the two bolts on the bottom which bolted the manifold to the block. Is it really impossible to take off the box or it requires brutal force...I am about to use a pry bar...

 

[grothe3297venge]

Like I just messaged you, there was only three bolts that attach it as the pic I sent shows. One thing I forgot to mention was I pulled from the top left of the vacuum box and the bottom right of it. Hope this helps and good luck! Its tough but it will come off.

Also forgot to ask, is your alternator completely out?? If not, that is how I was able to get both my arms up to get enough leverage.

 

[aodioxp]

Like I just messaged you, there was only three bolts that attach it as the pic I sent shows. One thing I forgot to mention was I pulled from the top left of the vacuum box and the bottom right of it. Hope this helps and good luck! Its tough but it will come off.

Also forgot to ask, is your alternator completely out?? If not, that is how I was able to get both my arms up to get enough leverage.

Thanks a lot! I ended up sticking a Needle-Nosed Plier behind the top and force it out. I guess it was stuck because of the top of the box was too high into the intake.
Here is the picture from the forum.

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I am now waiting for the gasket removal solution. The old one is really hard to remove with a scraper. Glad I take it off before the storm.
thanks a lot guys! Hope this thread helps others as well.

 

[grothe3297venge]

Congrats! Figured you'd get it with a little force, and glad you beat the storm!