Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Installation Procedure
- Install the exhaust manifold heat shield, if required.NOTE: Refer to FASTENER NOTICE in Cautions and Notices.
- Install the exhaust manifold heat shield bolts.
Tighten
Tighten the bolts to 9 N.m (80 lb in).
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Important: To assist in installing the exhaust manifold and gasket to the engine, tabs on a NEW exhaust manifold gasket will hold the gasket and bolts in place.
- Install NEW exhaust manifold gaskets to the exhaust manifold.
- Ensure that the exhaust manifold bolts, and plug wire shields are held in place by the tabs on the exhaust manifold gaskets.
- Install the exhaust manifold and plug wire shields.
- If reusing the old fasteners, apply threadlock GM P/N 12345493, (Canadian P/N 10953488), or equivalent to the threads of the exhaust manifold bolts.
- Tighten the exhaust manifold bolts.
Tighten
Tighten the bolts to 30 N.m (22 lb ft).
- Install the spark plugs.
- Position the spark plug wire retainer to the engine.
- Loosely install the spark plug wire retainer bolt.
- Connect the spark plug wires to the spark plugs.
- Install the oil level indicator tube. Refer to OIL LEVEL INDICATOR AND TUBE REPLACEMENT
in Engine Mechanical - 4.3L.
Tighten
Tighten the bolt to 12 N.m (106 lb in).
- Align the hinge clip with the lip on the throttle body.
In order to install the air cleaner outlet duct, pivot the air cleaner outlet duct downward until the mounting stud is through the hole.
- Install the air cleaner adapter nut.
- Install the PCV hose.
- Tighten the air cleaner outlet duct clamp at the MAF/IAT sensor.
- Raise the vehicle.
- Install the right exhaust manifold pipe nuts.
Tighten
Tighten the nuts to 50 N.m (37 lb ft).
- Lower the vehicle.
NO RELATED
Use the Manual With the Right Hardware
Pair factory procedures with proven DIY tools so the instructions are easier to execute.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.