There are 2 water lines in the back that should be replaced ,go a head and cut them its a lot easier. When you get the intake off turn it over and there are a lot more water hoses you should change while you have it off .

 

Wasn't planning on totally removing the upper intake. Other guys talk of lifting the manifold up and slipping the IMS in.

 

You are going to put a lot of stress on the two hoses and now they are going to break. Fixing it in the field or on the side of the road will be imposable and for $20 and 4 new hose clamps you can forget it.

 

I should revise what I said in the first post, I lifted the loose manifold with enough force to tell it isn't going to move up enough to slip the spacer under. I'm not a BFH - it moves or breaks kind of wrencher. Pretty sure I didn't hurt those hoses and you're right, all those hoses should be replaced, just not this weekend. This was represented to be a quick and easy little deal but my X ain't buying it.

 

The hoses are 14 years old there not going to stretch for the spacer and even if they did after a few days of hot water running thru there going to blow . Its like adding a lift and stretching the heater core hoses, we all know what happens next after a little bouncing around the hoses break off.

 

I disconnected the intake and throttle body plus everything you did as well. Try to look and see what easy tubing and piping you can unplug without cutting. One way you could do it, is to wrap a ratchet tie down to the upper intake manifold and to the hood. Then slowly crank it up until you can squeeze that spacer in. It may not be an easy fit and you still may have to wedge it in there a bit but it will work. I've seen it work. I used the same method to change my drivers side valve cover gaskets WITHOUT breaking any lines or even permanently bending anything and it's also how I installed my IMS.