1999 Grand Prix lower intake gasket replacement on 3800

[allbaugh_04]

Not LS1, I know. But I have replaced this gasket once already. I know it's leaking again because I get a bad miss and it eats some oil. 166k on it, still worth fixing I think.

So is there something I'm missing here, or do I need to just go with the Fel-Pro gasket? Which is mostly aluminum... https://www.rockauto.com/catalog/mor...339&cc=1357141

Previously I used the Victor-Reinz https://www.rockauto.com/catalog/mor...356&cc=1357141

I know some of you have the 3.8, please advise

[cammed goat]

I vote Victor as I have used them before at my job. Plus with anti-crush grommets, you really can't go wrong. However, has your car ever overheated? I ask as manifolds can warp if they've been overheated. Don't want to spend the coin for gaskets if the manifold is bad as well.

[allbaugh_04]

The victor failed me once already. The car has not overheated (to my knowledge) 2nd owner.

The victor reinz does have some rubber and plastic parts and I would have to tear it apart again to take pictures, I can't remember exactly where it failed, pretty sure it was near one of the coolant ports.

Kind of at a loss for words, not sure where the issue lies, the victor reinz gasket should have been fine.

[cammed goat]

That's what leads me to the possibility of a warped manifold. If it IS warped, no gasket will fix the issue.

[allbaugh_04]

Oh, I completely forgot, but I did replace the whole manifold and every gasket. Although I did forget that fact, it's not going to change the fact it's still leaking lol. I will just have to try again.

[cammed goat]

Welp, if the Victor failed, try the Fel Pro.

- - - Updated - - -

Did you noitce if the Victor gasket might have shifted at all on the deck?

[Whamhammer]

When you take the manifold off, see if you can find some telltale signs of where the leak might be, if the is some warpage or other issue that is contributing to the leak, maybe the addition of some oil-resistant form-in-place gasket sealer around the area of the previous leak is might also be in order.

[allbaugh_04]

My fist assumption was that it shifted, but it didn't appear to have done so. It looked like some of the rubber parts was being eaten away and the gasket was no longer intact in that area.

[cammed goat]

Was that where the leak was?

[The Guz]

Go with the AC Delco's. That is what I have in my 99 GT
More Information for ACDELCO 89017816

[0rion]

are 3.8's like the 4.3's as far as not having anything across the valley? I went across that valley with a bead of silicone when I did my old 4.3.

[allbaugh_04]

Was that where the leak was?

Hard to say, I'd say it's a safe assumption.

Go with the AC Delco's. That is what I have in my 99 GT
More Information for ACDELCO 89017816

I'll look at that, thanks!

are 3.8's like the 4.3's as far as not having anything across the valley? I went across that valley with a bead of silicone when I did my old 4.3.

The closest port on the right is for coolant right? I believe it was around there, the gasket was eaten away.

[cammed goat]

Maybe the head surface is warped? Possibly cracked?

[kis89pl]

This would be easy and a solution for the future. The best I came up with was this: https://autowikius.com/ If you don't have a tap, you can rent a tap set for cheap from any auto parts store or get a cheap set from Harbor Freight.