My original question:
3.8 naturally aspirated, did a lower and upper manifold gasket replacement. Have the actual shop manual and checked it twice.... it looks like it saying 22 ft lbs for the upper and 11 ft lbs for the lower ... that sounds ass backwards... can someone confirm? have the lower torqued to 22 ft lbs right now..upper still off.

Now: I found the DYI on this site and it calls for 11 ft lbs LIM and 7.5 ft lbs UIM. I have THE shop manual for my 1995 bonnie, it calls for 22 ft lbs UIM and 88 inch lbs LIM. I know that can't be right... so, do I leave the LIM at 22 ft lbs or should I lower it to 11 ft lbs??
Thanks,
Mike

Intake Manifold________________________Ft/Lbs
87-90 Vin 3 (in sequence)..............47
87-90 Vin C (twice, in sequence).......88 (In/Lbs)
91-99 (except 95-97 Vin 1 and K).......89 (In/Lbs, twice, in sequence)
1995 Vin K UPPER (twice, in sequence)........89 (In/Lbs)
96-97 Vin K LOWER (in sequence)..............11
92-99 Vin 1............................11
Throttle body bolts (8mm studs in metal).....20 Ft/Lbs
Throttle body bolts (6mm studs in plastic)..89(In-Lbs)




Looks like 11 ft lbs lower and 89 inch lbs upper

Tech info is your friend

_________________
Clay
1997.2 40th SLE-138k
1968 Bonneville 400ci w/TH-400-40k
1999 GMC Suburban SLT-191k
2005 Escalade 253k-GINA

First of all, what shop manual are you using?

The numbers stated in out Techinfo section come from the Factory Service Manuals (FSM) which is what GM used anytime your car was in a GM shop. I have always gone by these numbers and have had no issues yet. Just make sure you follow the correct torquing pattern also.

Thanks folks. I'm assuming the gasket is still good ... just need to loosen and retorque; that the 12 hours it spent over torqued didn't ruin it.

Keep in mind also that those torques are assuming ideal conditions.

In my case, it gave the 88in/lbs for lower, and a higher number for the upper (10-20ft/lbs), only to find when the hammer came down, the car dumped coolant out of all 4 corners. LIM was pushed up to 'oomph tight' and the problem went away. No complaints from any gaskets yet here. But also keep in mind, Series 1 and 2 is a different animal, and may be more picky.

_________________
~Randall~


1993 Buick Park Avenue - 197k - Some odds and ends done - Simply won't die
1994 Buick Regal - 78k - Bone stock - Always ready for a good kicking
1990 Oldsmobile 88 - Gone to a better place

That is exactly the same thing my manual read .... which is why I had posed the question. Also, My LIM has 12 bolts... not 10, so had to improvise a bit on the torque sequence.....after following the sequence in the manual 2x and always left 2 bolts not tightened....took me a second to figure it out...duh

Which shop manual do you have? It sounds like something is not right here, especially if it doesn't give you the torque order for all 12 bolts. That also makes me question the torque specs in that manual too.

_________________
~Randall~


1993 Buick Park Avenue - 197k - Some odds and ends done - Simply won't die
1994 Buick Regal - 78k - Bone stock - Always ready for a good kicking
1990 Oldsmobile 88 - Gone to a better place

Manual says "1995 Service (CH) Manual" for Bonneville, Eighty Eight / Ninety Eight and Buick Lesabre/Park Avenue" book 1 of 2. Book number GMP/ 95 -CH-1. Looks like it is published by the GM Service Technology Group.

Section 6A7-12 is where I got the spec's from. Upper is listed at 30 NM (22 ft lb) lower is listed at 15 NM (88 in lb). Reference figure 22 I believe which shows 10 intake bolts.

I recall reading a few years back, that one year's FSM had the torque specs reversed for the intake manifolds. One member cracked his upper as a result. The torque specs and sequence for 2000+ for the manifolds will work.
http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/forum/specifications-and-general-information/topic215.html

_________________
*Gone, but not forgotten* - Black 2000 SSEi, HIR Headlights, Angel Eyes fogs, 3rd brake light overlay, hi-flo cat, 180 degree thermostat, HS 1.9 rockers, LSx yellow springs, Intense FWI, PCM, shift kit, push rods, and 3.4 Pulley. ZZP Power Log.

Those figures are odd, and look like series 1 figures. Also some of those cars had Series 1 NA, and the bonneville got Series 2. Archon is right, 2000+ figures and procedures is the safest bet.

_________________
~Randall~


1993 Buick Park Avenue - 197k - Some odds and ends done - Simply won't die
1994 Buick Regal - 78k - Bone stock - Always ready for a good kicking
1990 Oldsmobile 88 - Gone to a better place

I used the 11 ft lb / 89 in lb numbers.

Had it all buttoned up and was watching for leaks and noticed my temp gauge was pegged at 260 degrees. . Turns out the new temp sensor I installed as a PM measure was faulty...put the old one back in, and it was reading fine.