Those are still nylon gaskets, so personally I'd return (or re-sell) them and get aluminums.

Again, there'* some debate on this issue, but my personal opinion based on my experience is that the nylon gaskets are fine as long as you lose the DEX.

I used Felpro headgaskets from Napa when I put my motor together and have not had any problems at all

I might have missed a post in this thread, but make sure you replace the plastic upper intake too, (~$100 from the dealer) well worth it, as the TB cooler that runs around the EGR stovpipe tends to leak.

Dude,

Now I'm scared. I'm not setup to do all of this. I'm already doing more than I've EVER done before to a motor. The only reason I'm attemtping this is the thought of spending $1400 at the dealer, and the fact that I have the tools to do the LIM and UIM. I appreciate the thought.

I respect your knowledge, but can't I simply drain the old oil (which I don't see any coolant in it) put fresh in, finish the LIM and UM repair start it up let it run a little while then drop the oil again and see what happens ?

White,

Yes, I'm ordering the APN kit. I have all the parts now, except the coolant elbow (need to figure out who has that) and the APN kit. I got the gaskets, plugs, new wire set, coolant, rtv, oil, filter, injector seal kit, blah blah blah. I've already started to clean up the LIM and heads with the wirewheel. I did find some coolant setting in the ports on the back side of the valve. I sucked that out with my anti freeze tester of all things. Tomorrow I'm going to try to finish the clean up of the mating surfaces and maybe reinstall the LIM. I need to find the torque specs for those bolts and the sequence.

I did find some pitting on the LIM that has me concerned. I'm trying to figure out how to post a pic. I need some input on this before I proceed. I'll try to figure that out.

That was what I did, and this is where I am now. $2000 later. And that was just in parts and machine shop charges. I did all the work myself. Talking from personal experience, pull the oil pan. It is only like 14(?) 10mm bolts. Only takes about 15 minutes to avoid a potential disaster. If your intake has some pitting I would suggest sending it to a machine shop and have it checked. I did a intake job on a customers 97 3.8 grand prix that had the original dexcool @179K. The lower intake had pits 3/8" deep. I had to put a good used intake on that car. I wasnt going to risk a leak. Also, I get those elbows from Carquest in the HELP line. They are like $4.

JR,

Gotcha I appreciate all the advice. Please understand that this is a little intimidating to be honest. I want it fixed right too. I have the oil and filter to replace. I was going to replace this tomorrow while I continued to do the clean up.

I want to make sure I understand you...

Change the oil and filter now putting in supertech. Put everything back together run it for 100 or 200 miles and change the oil and filter again. This should prevent any lower end damage correct? Super tech is cheap oil @ Walmart right? But I could use any oil right. Or is there something about Supertech that would be better in this application ? the idea is to change the oil now, run it for a short bit to collect any contaminates, then change again before any lower end damage accures..right ?

thank you.