How to Install an Intake Manifold Gasket in a 1997 Chevy 1500

The fourth generation of the 1500 series pickup truck appeared in 1988 and was manufactured until 2000 by Chevrolet. There were a total of eight different versions and cab variations of the 1500. They were powered by reliable V8 engines that required periodic service if parts like the intake manifold gasket would fail.

Instructions

Removal Procedure

1

Mark the relationship of the distributor housing and rotor for proper reassembly. Remove the distributor. Unplug the upper radiator hose at the thermostat housing. Remove the heater hose at the lower intake manifold. Remove the EGR valve and the coolant bypass hose.

2

Pull out the fuel supply and return lines from the rear part of the intake manifold. Unplug the wiring harness and brackets. Remove the throttle cable and bracket. Remove the cruise control cable.

3

Take out the transmission oil level indicator tube. Remove the EGR inlet tube, clamp and bolt. Remove the PCV valve and vacuum hoses. Unscrew the air conditioning compressor. Loosen the A/C compressor mounting bracket and slide forward, but do not remove it. Lay the A/C compressor out of the way. Do not kink the air conditioning lines.

4

Remove the power brake vacuum tube and the rocker arm cover. Remove the generator rear bracket bolt. Take out the intake manifold. Remove the old pieces of gasket from the gasket surfaces. Clean the excessive carbon buildup from inside the exhaust passages and the scale and deposits from the coolant passages. Inspect the manifold for cracks, broken flanges and gasket surface damage.

Installation Procedure

5

Position the new gaskets to the cylinder head with the port blocking plates facing the rear of the engine and "This Side Up" facing up. Install the lower intake manifold on the engine. Apply sealer to the lower intake manifold bolts. Put in the lower intake manifold bolts back in place. Tighten the bolts in three steps. In the first step apply 27 inch pounds of torque. In the second apply 106 inch pound of torque and in the last step tighten the bolts applying 11 foot pounds of torque.

6

Plug in the wiring harness connectors and brackets. Connect the upper radiator hose at the thermostat housing. Install the heater hose at the lower intake manifold. Connect the coolant bypass hose.

7

Install the EGR valve and the valve rocker arm cover. Connect the fuel supply and return lines at the rear of the intake manifold. Plug in the wiring harness and brackets. Install the cruise control cable (if equipped).

8

Install the throttle cable and bracket. Put back the transmission oil level indicator tube. Install the EGR inlet tube, clamp, and bolt. Connect the PCV valve and vacuum hoses. Install the power brake vacuum tube. Install the generator and the bracket bolt (if needed). Install the air conditioning compressor and bracket. Refer to Heating and Air Conditioning. Connect the distributor. Note the relationship of the distributor housing and rotor made at disassembly.