I broke the lower plastic elbow from the tensioner to the manifold, anyone have part numbers?

commo,now is the perfect time to check torque on the lower intake manifold bolts.I found the 2 "hidden " bolts a bit loose while doing my Dorman install.These are the 2 diagonally opposed bolts in the corners that are only accessible with the upper plenum removed.Also a good time to replace the rubber o-rings that seal around the injectors .I also used locktite blue on all intake and throttle body bolts removed as added insurance ,especially after finding some of the upper plenum bolts a bit loose while removing the factory plenum.Yea, it looks kind of ugly with all of the oily crud inside but I guess that'* to be expected when crankcase vapors are being fed in one end and exhaust gas in the other.Good luck with the install.

commo,now is the perfect time to check torque on the lower intake manifold bolts.I found the 2 "hidden " bolts a bit loose while doing my Dorman install.These are the 2 diagonally opposed bolts in the corners that are only accessible with the upper plenum removed.Also a good time to replace the rubber o-rings that seal around the injectors .I also used locktite blue on all intake and throttle body bolts removed as added insurance ,especially after finding some of the upper plenum bolts a bit loose while removing the factory plenum.Yea, it looks kind of ugly with all of the oily crud inside but I guess that'* to be expected when crankcase vapors are being fed in one end and exhaust gas in the other.----Oh yea, "HELP" brand(by motormite) plastic elbows should be available at auto parts stores on the racks with the rest of the "HELP" parts.I know my local Pep Boys and Carquest have them for 4 to 5 bux each.Good luck with your install

thanks for the tips.

I went ahead and took manifolds all the way off and decided to check the lower gaskets, well I have no idea what shape they were in as they peeled off with the manifold in pieces............

I got lucky and had every part in stock in this little town in Oklahoma except the lower gaskets which will be here tomorrow. So I spent the time cleaning the throttle body , manifold, and gasket surfaces.
I'm on my 6th can of throttle body cleaner i think....

I dropped 1 manifold bolt somewhere down beside the engine (not inside the engine) and can't find it so i'm going to pick one up at gm dealer and get the elbow, bolt and a thermostat with gasket there.

I'm also in need of a 1/4 inch torque wrench as mine doesn't go under 120 in .lb.

I am thouroughly pleased with my air compressor and air tools I bought only 3 weeks ago. It'* so much easier then fighting with those bolts where you can only move the wratchet 1/20th of a turn at a time. I'm having fun with this and hope I get back up and running correctly the first time.

Just to make sure on torque settings, I have lower intake bolts at 11 ft lbs (132 in lbs) and upper intake at 89 in lbs?

Yes...your torque specs are correct. They are what I used in my 99 also!

Gang....Does this mean that the Delphi uppers are not exempt from the failure as we once assumed??

plastic elbow was 10 bucks at GM dealer as was a new thermostat

latest info.

Got everything on and running. Had a few codes come up for random misfire but I cleared them and everything seems to be running fine now.

I have a small leak from the rear plastic elbow (one i didn't replace) from the tensioner to the manifold, Looks kind of cockeyed but I went ahead and ordered one to replace it (4 bucks) and it should be in tomorrow.

Changed oil, it looked fine and smelled fine but better safe than sorry.

One question for you, On the bottom front of the maniold, below T/B, is a sensor that was surrounded by heat tape, I had to remove it to unplug the sensor and don't have any to replace it, will this be an issue???

I also want to say Thanks Again for all the help you guys have given me. Truly helpful and much appreciated.

Bill

I just wanted to say thank you for all the help I received from this thread, article K and jr 3800 thread regarding this repair. I had never attempted a repair of this scale and was able to pull it off and save big bucks due in large part to the help I received in this forum.

Please don't hold it against me that I am a Grand Prix owner

Welcome to the club! We're glad that our vast amounts of information here were able to help you. As you've found, there'* tons and tons of info on the L36 UIM issues.

However, in the future, please start a new thread instead of replying to a really old one.