how can i tell which one is bad and which one is more prone to the intake failure?

the style of the intake cover

Series II NA 95-current

uh....what do you mean, how can you tell which one is bad?
The series II NA (non-supercharged) in particular is known for the intake problems but I havn't had any issues with mine. It all depends on how they are taken care of.

Can you clarify your question, and maybe we can answer you better...

You don't have one, Tam. Yours says "Eaton" on it. Not "please recycle".

hey, what do you take me for, a dumb blonde? I still have and drive the '95 NA...and show off the 2k bling bling...

You still have that one? I thought you'd sold it already. I knew you knew better, I just thought you were messing with us

Yea....I sold the other half back to my dad and my sister is getting it in 8 months... But it'* still "mine"...at least I still call it mine and I still drive it....I know I know...you were just testing me, to see if i was testing right, right?

i just had been reading aboutn intake problems..and I was thinking they were more problematic in certain engines..so I guess you are saying it can occur in any of the engines and not more in one than in the other..so what would i have to look for what symptoms..etc..thanks

Repeat.... The Series II NA engine (found in 95+ SE, and SLE'*) is more prone statistically to intake failure. Signs to look for: coolant tank consistantly running low, milky oil (that means your oil will look more like a light brownish/beigey color). But as i said it all depends. I did all kinds of stupid @$$ sh!te to my NA ...or, should i say, my EX did...washing the engine when the car was RUNNING and hot with COLD water, putting water in the coolant tank, smashing into huge a$$ curbs....eeer...yea i'll stop now because i'm just ticking myself off. Seems like he had it in for me on purpose, hmm?
Anyway yea the point is not ALL Series II NAs have that problem, and it all depends on how you take care of them. are you currently looking at one to purchase?