On a 1989 420 SEL, how is the intake manifold removed? I followed the service CD, took out the FD and passage leading to the throttle body, un- screwed all of the screws, removed all of the injector hold-down clips. I tried to pry the manifold up with a pry bar from the front, no luck. I was standing in the engine compartment trying to yank it up, I could not get it to move. It seems like the gaskets have melted or are glued, it just seems to be in there so solid.

Is a hydraulic engine lifter required? Should the rear bolts holding the lift eyes, at the rear remain inplace when lifting the manifold? What are the proper lift points for the manifold? What is the torque on the manifold bolts?

I really want to replace those intake manifold o-rings. Help!!

__________________
1989 420 SEL

You're doing good enough if you were able to get all the bolts out without stripping the heads. You did get them all out, didn't ya? Other than that you are right, they seem to stick together real good. Some careful prying and maybe even a winching from a tree limb or a cherry picker may be in order.

Also don't forgrt to disconnect the EGR tubing from the left head. Once you do get it apart be sure you either replace that tube or clean it out, it is most likely plugged up in the first six inches or so from the intake end. They came out with a redesigned tube that wouldn't clog as easily but I have found it clogs just the same.

__________________
Chas

Had a 380SL, 450SL, 380SEL, 420SEL, 500SEL

Got a Euro 500SEC right now.

Hey,

Sounds like you may have missed a bolt. If you check the parts department here they will sell you a set of bolts. In attempting to do this the will tell you how many bolts you will need. If you have removed the same amount of bolts required to replace the intake you have done well. You may pry at will.

This may sound trivial but if there is one bolt left and you continue to "remove the intake," you will find a very expensive item broken.

Dan

Well I got out all the bolts on top. I did not strip any of the bolt heads. Some did squeak as they came out. I labeled them as I took them out, so I would be certain to put them back into the same hole, since they are different lengths. I think there were 15 bolts. At one point, I did pry, and there was one centre bolt that I had missed. But after getting her out, I used a small crow bar to pry at the front-end, but still no luck.

Thanks for tip about the EGR tube. I did see the end of it down there beside the throttle body.

How tight did you put those bolts on? I put them on about 40-45 NM, with never seize.

I saw a 1-2 ton engine lifter at Costco. I guess I better get one.

__________________
1989 420 SEL

Ante up the 30 bux for Thomaspin's website. He gives the complete procedure for doing this job, as well as sealing up any leaks and such.

__________________
Regards

Warren

Currently 1965 220Sb, 2002 FORD Crown Vic Police Interceptor

Had 1965 220SEb, 1967 230S, 280SE 4.5, 300SE (W126), 420SEL

ENTER > = (HP RPN)

Not part of the in-crowd since 1952.

There are bolts along the sides, and (four?) at the ends that are longer and more vertical. Sounds like you have one or two still in place. On the ones I have removed, it took a very gentle pry to break the gasket seal and then it lifted right off.

__________________
Chuck Taylor
Falls Church VA
'66 200, '66 230SL, '96 SL500. Sold: '81 380SL, '86 300E, '72 250C, '95 C220, 3 '84 280SL's '90 420SEL, '72 280SE, '73 280C, '78 280SE, '70 280SL, '77 450SL, '85 380SL, '87 560SL, '85 380SL, '72 350SL, '96 S500 Coupe

I thought I got out all of the bolts because there were no more bolts on top. If I recall correctly, there were 4 bolts at the rear, 2 at the front, several along each side, maybe 3 or 4 along each side, about 3 in the centre. You might say there were 4 at the front, but 2 of those 4 were also on the side.

Are all of the bolts visible from the top? Do all of the bolts have the same type of head? Are there some on an angle or horizontal, not visible from the top?

I think those gaskets turn into epoxy glue after a few years!

Is that pay site www.pindelski.com? It talks about V8's from 81-91 but doesn't mention specifically a 1989 420 SEL. I'd hate to pay the cash and then findout its for a 560 which may be different.

The car is all back together now. This job takes me a day and a half, like abou 12-15 hours. Next time I go at this, I just to be sure I get the job done. All advise and recommendations is appreciated!

__________________
1989 420 SEL

[QUOTE=Cigar Havana]I thought I got out all of the bolts because there were no more bolts on top. If I recall correctly, there were 4 bolts at the rear, 2 at the front, several along each side, maybe 3 or 4 along each side, about 3 in the centre. You might say there were 4 at the front, but 2 of those 4 were also on the side.QUOTE]

???

The four or so bolts towards the center of the intake, adjacent to the runners, connect the upper and lower portions of the intake, no need to remove them untill you get the entire assembly out and on a bench where it is much easier to seperate the halves and install the new donuts. The bolts you want to remove are eight bolts on each side that attach the intake to their respective heads, each of these are 6mm allen headed bolts.

__________________
Chas

Had a 380SL, 450SL, 380SEL, 420SEL, 500SEL

Got a Euro 500SEC right now.