1997 4.0 SOHC Please help!

[Scout3]

I am in a little panic here. I am changing the upper and lower intake gaskets. I have the upper and lower intake manifolds out. I did not mark the lower as to front or back so now I am confused and ready to put it back together. I have looked it over as best I can and it appears symetrical and should work either way, but I just want to be sure. Please give me an answer so I can get this done. I thought everything was going too good. LOL!

Thanks for any help

 

[Scout3]

Anybody? I guess I have a 50/50 chance of getting it right.

 

[2000LXS]

match it to the upper then look at what way it would be on the truck

 

[2000StreetRod]

symmetrical

I believe it is symmetrical and will fit either way. There are some keys in the bolt holes for the middle ports (shown below) but no matching key on the heads.

You can look for the marks left from the keys to restore to original configuration. There are supposed to be left and right marks on the manifold - I believe on the sides.

 

[Scout3]

2000,

I noticed the two keys in the bolt holes and I think I see a faint matching pattern for the one that has a notch. If I can't find anything else I will go with that. Just wonder what the purpose of those two different bolt holes is. As big as those bolt holes are it could allow for the lower to move around a little while installing it. Just don't want to dislodge the new gaskets.

Ed

 

[Scout3]

Just went back out to the garage and took another look. I did find an (L) and an (R) on the sides of the lower intake. I assume R is passenger side and L is driver's side? Thanks for pointing that out. Didn't want to put it on wrong. C

 

[2000StreetRod]

bolt installation order

I installed the bolt with the small round insert first to line that bank up. Then I installed the bolt on the opposite bank with the notch which allows adjusting the other bank port alignment. I then loosely installed the remaining bolts and used a light to check the alignment of all intake ports with the head ports.

 

[Scout3]

Hopefully one more question on this job. I have the upper intake back on. I took it back off once because it just didn't feel right but saw nothing wrong and gaskets stayed where they were supposed to be. Put it back on but haven't put the final torque on it yet. I looked in from the driver's side and noticed about an 1/8 inch gap between the lower intake and the upper intake mating surfaces and because the new gaskets were orange I can actually see them. The passenger side I can not see but I can work my hand in there and it feels like the gap is even all the way around. I think this is normal because there are three guide stubs that must fit together. Can someone ( Streetrod?) tell me if this sounds right? Also if you know the torque value for the upper intake bolts? My Haynes manual only lists the lower bolts. Thanks again.

Ed

 

[2000StreetRod]

Upper intake manifold torque

Torque the upper intake manifold screws starting at the center and working outward. Torque the screw set in steps: 20, 35, 50, 60 in-lbs. The specified torque is 53-62 in-lbs. See post #11 in the following thread:

Starting my 00M12 Installation

Make sure that the EGR tube O ring is not damaged. I left mine in place but soaked it with vinyl conditioner prior to installation. If it doesn't seal properly your fuel mixture will be lean at idle on both banks.

I didn't notice how much gap was between the manifolds prior to torquing. I rocked the upper manifold forward and toward the driver side until I felt it accept the EGR tube O ring and seat on the lower manifold.

 

[Scout3]

Streetrod,

I kept looking and saw that the front of the upper mated flush with the lower. There is a small gap running down the sides that you can actually see the gaskets even though the intakes are mated properly. Kind of a weird design. Did some searching and found where the upper intake bolts were to be torqued at 5 ft lbs so I torqued it to 60 in lbs. Finished buttoning it up. Started right up. One of the symptoms it had was starting to take multiple revolutions before starting. Drove around the block and all seems good. I appreciate all the help you provided. Have a good one.

Ed

 

[2000StreetRod]

Congratulations!

Hopefully your Explorer will provide many years of trouble free service.