[QUOTE=christine_208;747041]When you go to reinstall the lower intake, you might consider what forgot to do when I did my LIM gaskets which was to temporarily install threaded rods into some of the LIM bolt holes in the heads to help guide the LIM into place. This is what I wish I had remembered to do from what I learned from replacing the intake on my 1968 Mustang 289 intake manifold. Instead of all bolts, there are four studs that come in super handy for reinstalling the intake.[/QUOTE is]

that’s actually a really good idea I changed the intake gaskets on my jimmy not long ago and it was a pain getting it to seal

 

Bingo. If you clean it and look closely from the other side you will see the gap is not broken off cast aluminum but is smoothly machined. Might have been used to align the LIM for assembly so to minimize the chance of messing up the line of sealer across the front of the LIM. Like what Christina said.

 

so it’s supposed to be like that? Why would it be different from my 2001 jimmy? i changed intake gaskets on that not long ago and there was no slot

 

I'm not sure why one would be slotted and the other not, but for what it's worth, it is slotted on the manifold from my 2002 Sonoma as well. Maybe it depends on which plant the manifold was manufactured in? <shrug>

I think unless there's obvious signs that something broke (ragged edges) then I suggest you just go ahead and reassemble it. Do check for pitting on the sealing surface as suggested by Swartlkk above.

 

Might depend on the manufacturing plant or the year and it is also the kind of mod that could be done in the assembly plant too, if the line workers were being careless. So they could lay down the bead of sealer and use the slot (ebay pic) to help line the manifold up, then set the other side down. OP, if you try that, let us know if the slot made reassembly easier.

And if anyone in the Houston area needs a lower intake manifold, I have one!

 

wild they’re both 01’s but I’ll get it put back together once I get the thermostat stud off that broke