Thanks...after I thought about it I kinda figured maybe that was it. If they are as bad as you say, for $50, might be worth doing even if it isn't leaking yet.

Look, I don't want to discourage you from replacing your LIM gasket, especially if it needs replacing. As you've read, it'* not something you want to leave undone for very long.

But, you need to verify that that is what your problem is, first. Do the leak test I mentioned above to make sure you know what your problem is.

Then you can go ahead and do the LIM too, if you wish.

If your LIM is leaking that badly, I would expect for you to have other symptoms also.

On your way to your lower intake manifold gaskets, check the date on your upper intake manifold, (UIM) as described in the techinfo article, to see if and when it might have been changed. Also, once you have removed the UIM, take a real close look around the EGR stovepipe passage, too. Take a needle, and poke it into the outside top of your UIM to see how hard the plastic should be. Now, take the needle and poke it into the EGR bore close to where it sits against the Lower Intake Manifold. Is it as hard as the outside, or is it soft? Does the needle go through? Is there any evidence of perforation? That area, and the coolant passage seals on the LIM gaskets are the two most likely places for internal coolant leaks to develop in your engine. If neither the LIM gaskets or the UIM have ever been changed, you should change both of them while you have it apart.

Gotcha. Leak test first. If nothing found, I will look at both IM gaskets and others mentioned.

Just got her back. I am so happy. I missed her. Didn't get to drive her yet though. I drove the big red neck truck home and my wife drove the Bonnie. I can't wait to go back out in a little bit. Get to go for a decent ride tonight. She needs a bath though, and I just washed her the day she died. Oh well, atleast she is running now. I'll post tomorrow about how she'* doin.