Thread: 98 L36 LIM gasket question

I've got a 98 Intrigue with an L36 that need's the LIM gasket replaced and I'm having trouble finding someone that knows if I need a kit that has rubber end seals with locating pins or not. My parts guy doesn't know for sure which one I need and is concerned that only one will actually work (the gaskets look different enough that he was worried it might not be interchangeable). Can anyone shed light on this for me?

Some creative searching found the info I needed.

A question was asked and I figured I'd toss this out in the open as well for general info to all.

When ordering LIM gaskets on the 3800, there are two listings.
First design w/o locating pins
Second design with locating pins

Soooo what's a locating pin right? On the second design there are two rubber pins on the rubber end seals of the LIM gasket set. 96-97 year engine blocks are technically are the first design w/o pins. 98+ are second design blocks. The difference is not worthy of having two different sets of gaskets. IMO the second design should have superceded the first and only one version should be available as the pins and their function is minimal at best.

96-97 engine block. Look at the top and bottom of the picture at the block. See the solid line of the block from head to head. That's the first design w/o any holes for locating pins to sit into.



98+ engine block. Look at the left and right ends of the block. See the two holes on each end. These are where the locating pins sit into.


When putting second design gaskets on a 96-97 block the pins simply lay over the side and still do the job of holding the gasket in place before the LIM is put back on.

Aluminum gaskets may be available in both first and second design. Keep in mind that first/second design does not signifiy aluminum vs plastic.