I have made the decision and I am keeping my 99 SLE 40th.

Before buying a manual, how mechanically inclined are you?

A god
Good
Fairly good
Ok
Questionable
What'* a socket
Or where'* the motor?

You may want to do this yourself..or you may want to bring it to a shop. You'll need a torque wrench and a few other slightly specialized tools not commonly found around the house. If so it may work out cheaper and much easier to have it done professionally.

If you are good and ready to do this..someone will chime in soon with the parts either way. Good luck..glad you caught it early.

First thing you need is a Chiltons manual, a torque wrench, lots of cleaning solvent, and patience! It'* not tough...just time consuming. You can read all about it in the links that I posted in your other thread.

As for a replacement, I would buy a Dorman (they make the Help! products). They're reinfoced in the EGR areas.

Furthermore, if you're replacing the UIM, please replace the lower intake gaskets. It'* work the extra two hours of work. When you get them off you'll see what I'm talking about. They degrade very quickly and at 100K I'm sure yours are pretty rough. Mine were terrible at only 77K.

Well lets see here, I just sold a 65 Plymouth Belvedere with a 511ci motor, I built this car myself. I also own a 71 Plymouth GTX that is going through a restification here at my home. So to answer your question.....Good to Fairly Good..

what is confusing to me is all the abbreviations, what is a UIM a upper intake manifold?

yes

Which place sells them, pep boys, autozone, checkers, carquest or do all of them?

Thanks I found the info on the other thread....

I know Advance sells them (they've got them right on the shelf here in Flint). The Napa near me can get them too. Advance has the best prices on them.

If you're feeling adventerous you could even guy one on ebay (like I did).

Advance, who are they?
Did you buy it from an individual on Ebay or is he a seller with a large stock of them and are they the Dorman brand?