Changing out my LIM gaskets seems to be going well. Just got a noob question. I need to clean out the threads in the manifold bolts holes, and I think the best way would be to run a tap through it. What size tap do I need?

Here are a couple pics from the project. These were taken before anything has been cleaned. Spent all day cleaning parts. Got some more to do on the block, then I can try to put it back together.

Thanks, in advance.

 

Never use a tap to clean threads, it will leave you with a sloppy fitting bolt. Use a thread chaser. Take one of the bolts to the parts store and buy the appropriate chaser.
Or, you can make your own chaser by taking a hacksaw and cutting a notch in the threaded tip of the bolt, perpendicular to the threads.

 

Wow that is a well loved chisle you got there. If you are talking about cleaning the oil and gunk out of the threads then use some carb cleaner and a red straw. Just watch your eyes as the crud will be flying out and could get in your eyes.

Massey

 

I'd like to state, for the record, the I did NOT use that chisel. lol.

 

Out of curiosity, did you have a leak that prompted you to change out your LIM gaskets? Or what prompted you? Which year and how many miles on your engine?

 

I was leaking coolant into the oil, and it went milky. It's pretty much sat since then, although I did do a fresh oil change and ran it a little hoping to get the milkyness off of the bearings and such. The engine has about 189k miles on it. It had 95k on it when I bought it, I think. That was about 7 years ago, or so.

 

in between the 95k and 189k did you ever have to do the head gasket? I have 125k on mine and i'm getting the coolant starting to mix with the oil also...Guy who did my test did it with a pressure cap on the radiator,and is telling me it's the head gasket.I'm not convinced and going to have a different test done,been told the radiator test is not accurate for this???
Mine runs fine when it's cold but as it warms up it runs and pops and we get cyl 2 with many misfires when scanned and the rest are ok

 

Except for coolant leaking into my oil, there are no other indicators (to me) that my head gaskets are toast. I don't have any white smoke, and it runs just fine.

You'd want a combustion leak detection kit. I've never used one, but you attach it to the radiator, in place of the cap, run the car, and it will let you know of there are combustion gases leaking into the cooling system. If that's the case, then the head gaskets are likely bad.

Like I said, I've never used one but there are youtube videos showing you how.

Hope this helps.