Yea those are the ones i got when i did my UIM/LIM. I just assumed that'* what everyone used... they did seem like a very solid design however.

Here is a typical example - this pic swiped from Jr's3800 recent UIM/LIM fix:
http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...lim+gasket+pic

The plastic frame around the coolant passage distorts and the seal eventually is lost.

In December my UIM went in my 97SE. From this thread:
http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...ic.php?t=44637
I got that same part number and gave it to my dealership. They ordered that gasket, and determined that whatever the deal is with the pins, they weren't compatible with my engine. I'm not sure exactly what the pins are or where they're supposed to go, but they didn't work with the rest of my engine, so they had to use whatever gaskets people used before these came out.

So no, apparently not all Series IIs have locating pins on the cylinder heads.

Bill Buttermore and BigNews1

Thanks for the excellent pictures.

Hmmmm. Ben was sold the aluminum ones for his '97 SE, but you were told they would not work on yours. :?: This may be a little tricky to figure out.

I think they are all the same design.. the locating pins merely hold the gaskets in place on the heads better.

We finally have visual P/N confirmation on these. Thanks, youse guys!

Exactly. It looks the the deciding factor is the cylinder heads. At some point in production they must have changed. I wonder if the compatible cylinder heads are the "Pre 1997.5" or "Post 1997.5". I'd guess "Post" but we need to nail this down if we can.

I'll leave open the possibility that my dealership lied to me, although it looks like they were pretty specific about their reason why the gaskets would not work on my car. If it'* just a matter of holes for locator pins, I wonder why GM doesn't make two versions of the aluminum gasket, one with pins and one without?

THAT, I think is a very valid question. I would tend to believe that these gaskets will fit them all, since it'* well known that the LIM gasket issue is more widespread than pre-'97.5

The thing we will have to try and verify is the differences between the earlier and later S2 3800 head-to-LIM mating surfaces. As other members do their gaskets, we'll have to remember to ask for specific pics.

Corvettecrazy used 2nd design (w/pins) on his 96
I used them on my 97

I think that dealer that didn't give them up was smoking something...