Posted: Mar 07 2010 at 12:54am | IP Logged

Hello! I just finished installing a  gasket  at the coolant inlet hsg, to  eng block flange ,where I,ve had seepage forever .Hard for me to believe  the factory used silicone and nothing else.

To do it ,( and yes it was a pia!):

I pulled the idler pulley and plate.

Removed the rad hose from the hsg.

Pulled the temp sensor plugs.

Diconned #1 plugwire & removed wire bracket from hsg.

At this point I contemplated disconnecting the bypass hose at the water pmp ,but decided to see if I could install the gasket at this point.

I removed  the retainer bolt from the front of the coolant hsg  and removed the 2 flange bolts.

I was able to slide the gasket in to place even though I could only move the flange back from the block about 1/10 of an inch.

There are 2 tabs on the little flimsy gasket that help out immensly!I lined up the gasket on one hole,put the bolt thru and then gently,holding the housing back evenly I swung the gasket down into place.A mirror and flashlight helped with alignment.

Since this worked I was done !If it hadnt of ,I believe the next step wouldve been to disconn the bypass hose at the water pump to free up the housing more.This would facilitate cleaning the flanges as required.Mine were clean to begin with.

At a 1.53$ ,I had an extra gasket just in case I wasted the first one. 

Ops check was good.No leaks noted!Much time and labor saved!