[AT] OT: Chevy Chevette (was Re: Yellow Farmall now cold starting

[Will Powell]

Ralph, 

Yes, I think your engine is in the sweet spot for gasket replacement. There is a lot written about this issue on some of the blazer forums. Take a good look around the intake manifold, especially on the corners, it may be leaking already and you don't know it. The gasket disintegrates. If your lucky it will send you warning signs like oil in the coolant. My fathers Monte Carlo was leaking for a while. The blazer was giving signs also, I could smell the anti freeze. My father dismissed it. Then, one day, he was driving up my driveway and it pumped coolant in a stream, he could no longer dismiss it. Shops charge between $400 - $800 to do the job. I did it for less than that for my father. We did the water pump while we were in there. Took about 5 hours, I was taking my time. There are fantastic step by step instructions on the web. You will need a light torque wrench, manifold bolts torque down to about 14 ft lbs. I also would recommend the spring clamp cable driven removal tool sold at Sears. 

Regards, 

Will 

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ralph Goff" <alfg at sasktel.net> 
To: "Antique tractor email discussion group" <at at lists.antique-tractor.com> 
Sent: Monday, January 3, 2011 12:42:02 PM 
Subject: Re: [AT] OT: Chevy Chevette (was Re: Yellow Farmall now cold starting 

On 1/3/2011 11:02 AM, Will Powell wrote: 
> 
> 
> And now with the 6 cylinder Chevy's around 1999. Every one of the engines have weak intake manifold gaskets. I have replaced the gaskets on my Fathers 1999 blazer and 1996 Monte Carlo. He also had to replace the same gaskets on a buick le sabre he used to own. In manufacturing there is no isolated incedence... If one fails, they all fail. In my opinion that gasket should not fail. My father is still loyal to GM... I don't know why... Maybe its because his 1999 blazer has brought us closer together? I repair something on it practicly every weekend... 
So the GM 4.3 V6 had intake gasket problems? I'm touching wood here but 
my 97 Blazer at 140,000 km has never had engine problems of any kind. 
Just lucky? Cold climate? I don't know. 

Ralph in Sask. 

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