EK98 showed up yesterday with his SE. Planning to do a little preventive maintenance. He had the Dillon UIM and Buttermore redcued diameter stovepipe, and all the gasket necessary, as well as valve cover gaskets, new coolant elbow, etc.

To make a long story short, this is one of the first Dillon manifolds with the coolant passages blocked. I ended up drilling two 1/4" 'cooling' holes in the sides to vent any heat that may build up in the blocked passages.

Yesterday'* work produced massive coolant leaks at the elbow. I tore the engine down again today, and found a factory flaw in one of the o-rings on the elbow.



A Dorman elbow was installed this morning along with a drilled (slightly) 180° thermostat. Eric went home with a freshly detailed engine, and a washed car.

It'* interesting to note that his intake on his 98 was manufactured in 2002 (AC Delco) and was already eroding in the EGR passage. His coolant elbow was also quite literally DAYS from total failure.

The next time we get together, we'll be doing a water pump (it doesn't sound happy), foglights, and repairing his trunk latch.

Not a bad weekend considering what we learned and found, and the fact that we tore that top end down twice.

you're such a good guy bill

That'* cool,helping out a newbie neighbor

We reailize you are lonely in Oregon since the WCBF'rs left....but why'd you tear that elbow o-ring. Wouldn't he stay if you asked nicely?

Good job guys..

This coming w/e the calls might head the other way as I help Black94SSEi tear into his intake gaskets.

Looks like photobucket took temporary dump.

I'll get pics up soon, but in the meantime, I'd like to point out that the Gearheads of this Forum have saved alot of people alot of money. I'm running some numbers right now, but just with regard to the Bob Dillon/Bill Buttermore work on the UIM for the L36, I can tell you that there have now been 25 improved manifolds installed on this Forum. Had a mechanic done the work in each case with Dorman or AC Delco intakes, the cost to members here would have been about $12,500 more than it was, and the repair would not have been as long-lasting.

EK98'* work was intended to be preventive in nature, and it'* a good thing we got it when we did. The manifold removed from his car was manufactured in 2002, and was failing. His coolant elbow had already failed.

He ended up doing both valve cover gaskets, LIM gaskets, new 180° thermostat (slightly drilled), blocked UIM coolant passages with vent holes for cooling, new TB/UIM gaskets, and a new coolant elbow for UNDER $150. I bought him lunch and gave him a little stick time in the Zilla as well. We had alot of work, but alot of fun as well.

Sounds like a good weekend!

I am also gathering the necessary items to do a PM replacement of my UIM and LIM gaskets. Mine was originally replaced about 45,000 miles ago in about 2003. It'* just about time.

Bill, don't forget you also bought me dinner at the fine jack in the box establishment in albany...

Anyway I just want to thank Bill, and everyone that he called throughout the process for advice. I'm not sure who was all called but thanks to all of you. You guys, especially Bill pretty much saved my car so I'm very grateful.

Hey Bill, I thought you told me we we're working on my car this weekend? You had a room set up for me and I told you I was bringing the Canadian Beer. It'* my dog isn't it? You don't like my dog........even though I told you I wasn't bringing him.

There are some pretty fine folks here on BC, that'* for sure.


And Don, I'll let you help....just remember what type of screwdrivers are at my house, lol.