Zrated83

iTrader: (17)

Well my mom's car has an intake manifold leak. We can see where its leaking and heard it hissing and stuff once we shut the car down. The temp gets over 220 just driving around in the city and the car has a loss of power. The car is an 87 Z with tpi. It runs sluggish, the rpms fluctuate alot when you are going at a slow pace.

How hard is it to replace the gasket? Is it something you can do with basic knowledge? I installed headers on my car and can do basic stuff. I just want to know what I am getting myself into Obviously I have to take the tpi unit off but that is basically it right?

thunderstick

yea, pretty basic knowledge will do it. other than that, just need the right tools. i don't know about 87's, but mine has those torx tip bolts. take the plenum off first, then the runners. remove the bolts in reverse torque sequence. when you do get the intake off, make sure you account for those metal "grommets" on either end of the old gaskets. they may come off. apparently someone else didn't account for them and i found one plus a bunch of gasket residue in my oil pump screen. another small tip is that you might want to take pictures as you go, so there's no question of where things go back... good luck. it's not that hard.

KAM

Zrated83

iTrader: (17)

thanks for the advice kam I appreciate it The 87 has the torx bolts also. Will I also have to remove the distributor? How hard is that? Any recomendations on what brand gasket to use and where to get it? Will I have to get new gaskets for the runners also? Im pretty sure I can tackle the task, I just dont want to jack anything up

THEGENERAL

you asked this question a couple days ago why havent you just replaced it already????

Zrated83

iTrader: (17)

I havent done it yet because I didnt want to start it on Sunday and not be done by Monday. Plus I need to get the gasket, supplies, and any other tools I might need. Im not going to start the gasket till Friday night since I will be too busy with school during the week.

THEGENERAL

thats cool just wondering what was up


its not a difficult task just remember what you took off and label bolts so you dont forget which ones go where since your new to this ...

thunderstick

yes, to the question of removing the distributor... which means you'll have to reset the timing... make sure you match the rotor to a mark on your manifold, so that it will go right back where it was. remember it will rotate slightly as it seats in to the cam gear, so if it doesn't line back up exactly, pull it back out and rotate it slightly whichever way you need to go to get it to line up exactly. it has to line up, or you're asking for trouble, but more frustration than trouble... also, don't forget thread sealer on your intake bolts. another thing about your dist is that if you have it lined back up right, it should seat all the way down on the oil pump shaft. that will be your first clue that it won't go in all the way, if you're off.

KAM

porkyzilla

iTrader: (1)

hmm....i can help you out if you need just give me a ring


i can give you a walk though...

off the bat tips...unclip the wire harness...on drivers side on tranny,

remove valve covers ...seperate bolts in bags from upper and lower plenium bolts...

have injectors flow benched and matched...

its alot of work...and you need alot of tools...the best is a cup wire brush in a drill and gasket remover thats the pain in the *** part...if i can get the time off ill come up there and give you a hand...

Zrated83

iTrader: (17)

Ok I started it tonight, I just need to get the bottom runner bolts and take of the runners and plenum. How is the plenum connected? I was just curious, I took the 2 vacum hoses that go to it off along with the brake line.

The tps sensor crumbled to pieces when I removed it so I am going to need a new one. For a new one do I just splice and go or will I have to get a whole new harness? Oh and what can I use to clean the throttle body or fuel injectors and stuff?

Zrated83

iTrader: (17)

if I have any questions and need a quick answer I will give you a call.

porkyzilla

iTrader: (1)

take them to like carquest and the machine shop...its about 15 each injector well worth it...but they also put new rings and filters in the injectors...

for the runners theres a hiding bolt in the center of the runners on the bottom...not to mention some are on the inside of the manifold depending on year and if it has cold start or not...

916-519-2800 is my number hehe

BigBadLou

iTrader: (3)

The sensor or connector crumbled to pieces? The sensor can be obtained at any auto parts store. The connector is a different issue, I had to go to a junkyard and live through hell to get one. Then I just spliced it in. (pics in my gallery)

Hope this helps.
Lou

Zrated83

iTrader: (17)

It was the connector. So no auto part stores sell it? No junkyards around here even have a tpi car for me to get one from.

THEGENERAL

the best thing to do is find a pull your own parts junk yard to find one at ...

BigBadLou

iTrader: (3)

The TPS connector should be standard on more than just one model of car/engine. Does the TBI use the same TPS? Then you could look for almost any car that has/had a TBI setup in it (many Chevy's).
I'm sure somebody will chime in with info on our TPS connector interchangeability.

Hope this helps.
Lou

Zrated83

iTrader: (17)

I worked on it a little bit today and got the plenum and runners off. I got a couple of the intake manifold bolts lose but some of the others are a pain! I broke 1 cheap socket extension and twisted up 2 torx bits. I just need to get the distributor off and then I can get the manifold. Good thing its the weekend now, more time to work on it How far down is the distributor hold down bolt? I need to get a distributor wrench to make it easier.

porkyzilla

iTrader: (1)

yes go to sears 9.99 cant do it otherwise... be sure to mark it at cyl #1 so youll know what point to drop it into ...

Clutch_Grabwell

A ccc q-jet should have the same plug on its TPS. I cut the plug off my Monte's harness to make an extention for setting the voltage. It fit, but the wire colors were in a different order. No problemo.

burnout88

I got my new TPS plug at pep boys, but if they do not have it you can also order it from the dealer.

thunderstick

ratchet with extension and 9/16 crow's foot works pretty good for a dist hold down. i have a dist wrench and haven't used it yet...

KAM