Is there one? I looked in the FSM and it just says torque them to 40ft/lbs. Should I use the "start in the middle, work your way out," or is there a proper sequence?

Thanks, this board is a great source of information.


Tom

Criss cross starting from the middle and work your way out is correct. But most important on a Pontiac; make sure that you draw the intake up to the timing cover first to get that seal set.

Like Jim says but make sure you get all the bolts in the holes and a couple of threads started before you tighten anything.

Robert

Here's a link that tells the sequence. Scroll about half way down the page. It's not specifically for FGF's, but I would imagine it is the same. Don't forget to tighten the long bolt that connect the WP to the intake on the driver's side first--before any intake bolts. Otherwise, that seal is likely to leak in that place where the two come together.

http://torquespecs.tripod.com/pontfs70-88pv8.htm

Thanks, guys. This is a father-son project, my dad's recently retired. Two followup questions:

1. If you, theoretically, dropped a small washer (for the throttle rod) into the head, what would the risk be of leaving it in there? LOL. I never saw it go in there, but it had to have. These father-son projects can test relationships. Had it been the passenger side head, I would have pulled it. The driver's side head, with all the accessories, well I wasn't in the mood. I'm not sure it's in there, but I have a hunch. Am I nuts for leaving it in there?

2. So the timing chain cover bolt should be completely tightened before putting the 10 manifold bolts in? We were having some troubles lining the holes up well. We called it a day after the missing washer incident. I swear we're not that stupid....on that note:

3. The Felpro gasket kit has two identical pieces, each with silicon on one side. I was going to ask if it should face the intake or the head, but it appears that one goes up and one goes down. That's the only way they would fit...

It's ok to laugh at us, today was a long day...and I need qjet and new intake bolts...I'll get this together next weekend!

Thanks-
Tom

1. Saw this happen once before on a Chevy 350. It was ignored and the engine was toast within a week. You have to find that nut.
2.Get all the bolts started and then tighten the front one to the timing cover. Sorry I didn't make it clearer.

Tom,

I don't have experience with a nut in the head. On the otherhand I have left a T-shirt sleeve in the valley pan for 5000 miles. Thank god it didn't get sucked out into the motor. I found it when I went to re-seal the valley pan...Think God was trying to tell me something when the valley pan started leaking.

I must say thanks for the best laugh of the week. My wife got a good chucle too!!!!

Chris

"good chuckle"

#2: Tighten the timing cover to intake first means

START ALL INTAKE BOLTS, RUN THEM DOWN FINGER TIGHT

then tighten intake to timing cover.

#1 can be answered with a question: How lucky do you feel? On one side, it's possible to drop large hunks of steel down the intake. It will manage to enter the firing chamber, get chewed up and spit out like a dog consuming tender prime rib. On the other side, even the smallest jesus clip made out of # .023 wire will instantly trash the engine if it gets sucked up.

I'll ask you a question about dropping something into the intake: What road would we go down if it were my engine or one that I was working on?

I think I can answer that one...... It's one of those reasons why you keep your garage floor clean. So when things get dropped you can tell if they went into the engine or on the floor.