Hello. I just recently changed my lower intake gaskets with the Felpro metal ones. I noticed on the AllData TSB's that Gm recomends that I also replace the Lower intake manifold BOLTS? Is this really nessesary? If I have to, I have to, but if I do need to replace them, how long can I wait. Its pretty cold in Chicago right now. Can I wait until it gets a little warmer out? It's been about 2 weeks now and there are no leaks and the car runs and drives great.
Thanks for you suggestions...
MIke

 

GM recommends replacing the bolts because the new bolts come with a pre-applied threadlocker on them.Thats the only difference in the replacement bolts.Cleaning the old bolts and applying threadlocker to them when installed will accomplish the same thing.The bolt torque specifications and tightening sequence are very important also.....



Notice:An oil leak may result if the vertical bolts are not tightened before the diagonal bolts.
Diagonal bolts may require a crows foot to tighten.
Tighten
[ol]1st-Tighten the vertical lower intake manifold bolts (1) to 7N·m (62 lb in).
2nd-Tighten the diagonal lower intake manifold bolts (2) to 7N·m(62 lb in).
3rd-Tighten the vertical lower intake manifold bolts (1) to 13N·m(115 lb in).
4th-Tighten the diagonal lower intake manifold bolts (2) to 25N·m(18 lb ft). [/ol]
Hope this helps....Steve........aka bowtietech

 

i think theres something more to it than just cleaning em up and using threadlocker, the lower intake kits from GM recently started to include the bolts with the gaskets, rather than just having to buy the bolts seprately.

 

There could be something more to it.$$$ Have you ever purchased any of these intake bolts or noticed the price difference in the gasket sets after the bolts started being included in them???? I have.

 

38.41 for the intake bolts. cost price not list. dont know about gmpartsdirect as i dont have a part number for the bolt kit.

 

talked to a gm person and he said that gm uses locktite 242 on the bolts then send the bolts to the dealers.