Just bought this car a couple of months ago. Put 1000 miles on it the first week, and 500 since. Checked the oil today, and Radiator about empty and engine over flowing (was fine when I checked it before x-mas). I did notice several drips in the garage this weekend that looked odd as well.

I've been gathering part numbers for the impending job this weekend. I work part time at a local parts shop who sells Victor gaskets. Since I can get them pretty cheap, should I? Or do I do it "right" and stick with Fel Pro? They look similar to Felpro, but the "sticks" are black instead of orange, and there isn't a tube of sealer that comes with it. I have to order about everything else, so not sure how they will compare.

Taking BillBoosts advice and doing heater hoses, (Rad hoses done first week with flush), switching from original Iridium to NGK TR55, both belts, water pump, SC coupler and new oil, O2, fuel filter, and there'* a bum injector that showed up. Previous owner has a receipt from diag 10k ago, but no repair. I figured the O2 is likely shot by now, and my fuel mileage is terrible since the light went on, but wasn't terrific before. Thorough TB cleaning, NO TB Blast inside the SC!

All this after RF Wheel bearing practically falling apart, flush, 180 tstat, rad hoses, trans filter, rotors, shoes, and serious engine degreasing during last 6wks. The car has 163500 on it now. I have to say I hesitated big time before buying it. I could tell just by looking over the engine compartment that there was going to be issues, but the color was right, the bank already approved, and I drove over 3 hrs to go look at it.

Anyone know a good way to flush this crap out of the engine? Napa has a 5 minute engine flush, so I will likely be doing that after the repair is done with some sacrifical oil, unless I hear a better solution.

Does anyone think I left anything out that I should be doing? Oh yeah, plenty of pics will be taken, but Bill'* thread is already fantastic on the topic. Has anyone else done this besides Bill? Has there been any formal confirmation of the metal intake gaskets yet? I'd like to use them if they are available.

Sorry so long on the post, but I thought others would appreciate the background. Great site, great folks!

Anything..being in MN you may be near a few members that would help out. To do the heater hoses, make sure you get the craftsman tool or equivalent. Otherwise..getting the clamps behind the strut tower will be close to impossible.

Check your rear valve cover while you are planning this as well. It is super easy to access and if they are leaking it'* also a great time. I'm sure others have done this as well. Just let us know if you have any questions and we can help out.

You only want to do this once, so I'd go with Fel-Pro or AC Delco gaskets. I've never used Victor, so I can't offer an opinion on them.

I'm assuming it'* just sludge in the car? Not coolant in the oil? Engine flushing is a good idea, but it may take a couple oil changes after that. I just hope the buildup wasn't bad enough to starve internals of oil.

Might also be a good time to clean that throttle body, change the O2 sensor, and other basic maintenance.

Yes. See this thread. It has the P/N and a discussion. There is also another thread where someone here used the metal LIM gasket.

http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...+intake+gasket

Thanks for the replies guys. I don't know why I didn't think of the VC, good call. I didn't get a chance to read everyone'* replies until tonight, but I ended up going with Felpro anyway because Napa'* gaskets are extremely rare at the moment - at least 4 days from KC. Overnight from Felpro vendor.

Willwren, I have green antifreeze in my crankcase. It'* not pretty, but I predict there'* about 8 miles on it since they blew. I "punched" it on new years eve, just for a block before I got home and coasted the last block. I didn't drive it again until Monday. 2 miles to work, and 2 home again, and repeat on Tuesday. Never above 30mph and all of 5 minutes each way. I don't think it had enough time to do too much damage, but Monday my SES light came on when I was coming home, Tuesday it was ok.

On the topic of the metal gaskets, the first page thread ends with the owner saying they didn't use them because they weren't right for his car. I talked to the parts store about it today and he said there is a new plastic version out with guide pins and he just sold a set for a newer Montana, but not seen the metal ones yet.

I'll see if I can get some pics uploaded tonight.

Anything,

DRAIN YOUR CRANKCASE RIGHT NOW! Before you go to bed! That water/coolant will rust out your rods/caps and bearings on the lower half of the motor. GET IT OUT OF THERE!

Brr it'* getting colder out there. Oil is draining and I dumped a couple quarts of "decent" used oil in the valley to help flush things down a bit. A little gassy, but no water anyway.
I'll dump a couple more down it tomorrow morning. I snapped a pic of what I got, so I'll get back to uploading some photos.

Injector rail, number 3 (Near you on left) has been throwing codes for last 10k per owners records. New one is on order along with new o-rings and O2 sensor.

It'* off!

Gook. [pointing] The hole is complete plugged. The left one isn't much better.