Can the intake be removed without dumping antifreeze into the oil?

I've removed the intake manifold afew times over the years on my car but every time I broke the gasket seal I always got antifreeze into the lifter valley.
Is there a way get the intake off without dumping antifreeze in the oil? Looking for any advice or suggestions. thanks.

 

Drain the coolant and drain the oil. Store them seperatly. Leave the oil plug out and see if any coolant comes out when doing the intake. I would think that there will always be some coolant but this way you saved the oil. But then thinking about it, if the oil was in then it would help move the coolant out when you drain it. Definetly drain the coolant first tho.

 

A good shop vac.

 

I've always drained the coolant as much as posible first than after ward I would change the oil.

 

Drain it when the engine is warm, and let it sit, may help dry the intake out.

 

I don't think it can be done. There will always be a little water left over, and it will spill when you split them.

 

Drain the coolant and pull the thermostat housing. on each side of the block there are 1/4"NPT drain plugs. IF you can get them out, you will have only a minimal amount of water in the intake and you can replace them with radiator drain cocks of the same size so it's easier on the 2yr antifreeze replacement next time. Leave the oil in the pan. Oil floats and water sinks to the bottom so when you pull the plug, the water will drain 1st allowing the oil to be the last thing in the pan. Of course all of this is theoretical as I always forget something an end up with water in the oil anyway. :16suspect

 

I think its impossible really lol I always get water in there even when I drain it

 

if you drain the block with 1/4"npt drain plugs mentioned above, the t-stat housing, jack up the rear of the car high enough that the back of the intake is higher than the front you should be able to get 99% of the coolant out. chances are a few drops will end up in the lifter valley. you should be able to just mop them up with a paper towel.

 

Drain the coolant, then blow through the heater and upper hoses with shop air.

 

Good luck getting those plugs out of the block. I have never been able to budge them, the heads (or socket if they're allen plugs) strips long before you can crack thye threads loose. Just change the oil afterwards. I never put dirty oil back into a motor.

 

Can the intake be removed without getting coolant in the oil?
Yes but it is nearly impossible. Draining the block and radiator will no get all the coolant out of the intake no matter how you do it. Removing the thermostat helps but it won't get all of it out.

There is no "safe" amount of ethylene glycol in oil. It will destroy your bearings in short order. Change the oil after you install the intake.
I change mine twice. When the job is done I change oil and filter ad then once it is warmed up to operating temp I change the oil and filter again.