took me and a buddy about 3 hours on my 97

 

THANKS AGAIN!!
I removed the air intake plenum to find that the fuel line to the cpi had a pin size hole in it, allowing fuel to leak into the plenum. I'm sure that that would have caused problems at some point...
I removed the intake manifold and found a considerable amount of carbon deposit on the left (passenger side) of the lifter valley. It reminded me of lava. I was able to easily vacuum it out.
ThreeQuestions:
1) Does this carbon deposit mean anything significant?
2) Is ther a "Good" way to clean out some of the build-up in the coolent ports now that I have the intake manifold off?
3) Should I go ahead and replace the Fuel injector assembly since I have to replace the fuel lines in the plenum?
P.S. - I hope I am following protocol by continuing with questions on this same thread?

 

1) it means your engine was running rich, probably due to the pinhole leak in the nut kit. I would, however, pull and clean your EGR valve as it probably has a buildup of carbon on it.
2) Sorry, I don't know
3) No, not necessary unless it was actually failing

 

Thanks Leeann!

 

Go Ravens!

 

Hey guys, I'm back!
I replaced the intake manifold gaskets, replaced the leaking fuel line (nut kit), put everything back together, started it up and she runs great! Except for one thing, there is still a small amount of coolent leaking and it is NOT comming from the intake manifold gasket.
I took off the flywheel housing (what a pain!) and the coolent seems to be dripping from between the flywheel and the back of the block.
TWO QUESTIONS:
1) Are there freeze plugs on the backside of the block, just forward of the flywheel similar to the ones on each side of the block?
2) If so, is this a DIY project?
THANKS!

 

Yes there are and I think so, but I think you have to either remove the tranny or pull the engine at least forward (there's at least one recent thread about this same issue I remember seeing).

 

I do not believe there are freeze plugs on the back of the 4.3L engine...

 

According to that exploded view of a Vin W, there are 2. I'll double-check my service manual when I get home, though - or just check on the '94 Vortec I have sitting in the back of my Astro.

 

Holy large picture.

Those are not freeze plugs. There is no water jacket that runs across the back of the block. Those plugs cover the back side of the cam and balance shaft bores.