I have a 99 Ram 1500 4x4 5.9 engine. I need to change the intake manifold gasket and was wondering how hard it would be for a novice? Also, are there any DIY guides regarding this? Anything I should be careful about? Thanks for everyone's help.

 

Read the sticky at top be-all-end-all plenum thread. Lots of good info. Plan on a weekend to complete. Its not that hard just time consuming. Tme hardest part is not snaping the manifold bolts. Also this is a great time to do the cap, rotor, wires it will never be easier. Also valve cover gaskets, water pump and timing chain. Get the double roller makes a world of difference.

 

Thanks tbone...

 

No problem.

 

I agree. I just did this again not long ago to the 360 in my Durango and I posted my info in that thread since I hadn't seen some of the details I thought worth mentioning. It's a long thread by my post is near the end of it.

 

Also, get a Haynes manual AND download the free 2001 Factory Service Manual from the FAQ/DIY section here at DF. Read about the project in both manuals first.

 

I had the manifold off in about 1 1/4 hours and put it on in about 1 1/2 hours, cleanup & gasket prepwork took the longest. I spent a half hour with my plenum plate on the wire wheel cleaning the old gasket off and another 45 minutes on the intake & heads sanding the old gasket meterial off by hand since I couldn't find my sander and I also changed out for the 180 thermostat. Then I took my time with putting the copper permatex on the coolent ports of the intake as well as the plenum plate and to complete the job I also changed plugs,cap,rotor & wires. Probably 3 1/2 to 4 hours the whole thing took me to complete the whole intake job, finding & getting tools set up & ready was the time consuming thing. The average person shouldn't expect results like mine, this is my 5th intake job on a Magnum/Ram motor and first time on my own Ram.

I did use my dads battery impact to take certain things off like the ac pump so I could fold it over to the fender so I didn't have to worry about losing freon. The biggest thing is having your tools organised and sockets on rails! do this before the job!.