Removal of intake manifold on V8 via Weasel's method?
 

Whilst I wait for some transmission parts I have started to size up the top end job. I need to replace the vally pan gasket as it drips royally from the back.

I'll also replace the spark plugs for sure but I got the black plastic covers off the valve covers and there is no sign of oil around the plugs so it seems I can leave the valve cover job for later.

I studied the problem of getting the wiring boxes off the fuel injectors for a while and it seems to me that removing the clips one by one is quite a bit of a pain. Weasel's method seems easier (pull up rail and wiring boxes together) but it requires romoving some of the wires that come off the front of the wiring boxes from the various engine parts they run to. Only then could I lift the wiring/fuel rail up and out of the way enough to get to the manifold and valley pan.

Are there any counter indications to doing this? Should I get new O-rings for the injectors?

If I remove the coils to get the plugs out, is there any risk of damaging the coils packs?

HELP, got the fue rail off, what do I need to renew now that I am in here???
 

Given the absence of any opinions, I went ahead and disconnected the oil level sensor and the connection to the starter motor which are connected to the box on the PS bank. I also got the alternator connection off which is connected to the driverside bank. I now have all the wires off but I am wondering about the hoses on top of the manifold. Guess I am back to studying the how to's.

EDIT: No clue from the how to's, so back to the car and see if the fuel rail and wiring boxes will come off w/o undoing the hoses.

EDIT2: The rail is off and I have clear access to the manifold. To get this far I took off the rubber vac hoses and the plastic one running to the front of the intake.

HELP: What valves/equipment do I need to swap back here?? The hoses were replaced already and are in good shape but I don't think any of the valves have been swapped.

The rear cover of the manifold houses the rubber diaphragm for the crankcase ventilation system... that is the main thing to change when the manifold is off.

Thanks!

rear coolant log gasket/hoses, etc. very difficult to access with everything in place.

O-rings for the two coolant tubes that run front to back.

It is off!!
 

Ok, intake manifold and rear coolant manifold are off! Don't try this at home kids!!....At least not if you like wearing white shirts while R&Ring your X :-)

I strapped the bridge piece to the wiper and strung the front of the fuel rail through the grille. Works very well!

The V-pan gasket looks fine but it definitively leaked. Odd.

Anyone have the part number for the diaphrame? I don't think I saw in any list. Is the idea to buy the whole cover with the valve in it? PN 11617508541?

Is it worth changing the oilseparator at this time? Only 30 bucks...11151705237

Yeah, the diaphragm is built in to the rear cover and isn't really changeable separately. And the oil separator itself doesn't really have any internal parts to fail on that system. The I6 engine has the diaphragm built in as part of the separator as all one unit, the V8 has separate components.

Not sure why you have your tranny out, but now would be a great time to change the drain hose from the bottom of the oil separator, and might be a good time to change out the rear main seal and maybe gasket #8 in this link... if either one of those starts leaking at any other time it would be a total pain to get to.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...15&hg=11&fg=10

The Torque Converter failed and puked a lot of debris into my AT. I took the AT apart and rebuilt the valve block, the output section and the F-clutch. Next step is R&R of the planetary gears, etc.

When I was investigating the torque converter problem I discovered the V-pan had started to leak and so that is now also in process. Not sure if I want to take any more parts off the car....

I have the parts on order including the hoses that connect back to the sump.

In parallel I am building a garden shed (done but for trim around the doors), finishing up the sprinkler system in the yard (done), building side yard fences with double gates (75% done) and I am half way through a swing set project......

Getting there but I just don't have enough time!!

I WISH that were the only projects I had on my plate... I'm still rebuilding/reconditioning a whole house and over 5 acres of property, and am running out of weekends before the move date!

Always good to own some property!

Goodluck on the move!