Yeah, I'm not sure I completely followed my service guy'* explanation. He said my block does have a guide pin, (or pins?) but there'* some other pin or pins, on the gasket, I think, and my block doesn't have the locating hole (or holes) for it. The result was that the new metal gasket could not be used on my car. Maybe some other members here could shed some light on it. Too bad I wasn't able to get any pictures.

Not sure what we're talking about here, but I wasn't aware of ANY of the 3800 family having locating or guide pins on the heads or LIM mating surfaces.

In 1998 didn’t they change the end rubber pieces and add holes in the block to hold them in place?

Not sure why they would. They never go anywhere. The fault in the end rubber pieces is that the pointed tip where the head, block, and LIM meet erodes from heat over time.

not sure, but my side rubber pieces had "pins" that fit on the other side of the block that allowed a much more secure fit.

there were little plastic "*****" on my LIM gaskets that fit into holes in the heads, to keep them in place.

Both of my S1 L67'* have those ***** on the gaskets. I assumed by pins we were talking about a PIN. Similar to what the LIM manifold has on the SC cars to locate the Eaton.

if by pin you mean a metal cylinder that sticks up to locate the manifold/gaskets, no we dont have any

That'* what I thought.

I'd sure like to get my hands on a set of those new gaskets. Just to see.

They very well may have not been referring to a metal pin. Yeah, if I'd been earlier I might have been able to get some photos. If I get a chance to talk to my service guy, I'll see if I can get more info.

See if this link works to Advance Auto.

http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductL...ifold%20Gasket

I have a Fel-pro set # MS95809 for 95 to 97 vin: K and the end rubber pieces have no **** that stick in the block side rails.
The above link is for # MS 958091 for 98 up vin: K and the only dif is the end rubber pieces with the ****.