​

 

If you haven't done so already, a good preventative measure is replacing the fuel pressure regulator of the 1993 Allante. If you are purchasing a 1993 Allante, ask if this has been replaced. The smell of gas may be the only warning you get if your fuel pressure regulator fails.

 

​

 

Do you hear what sounds like a backfire under the hood? That may be a cracked lower plenum that needs to be replaced along with your fuel pressure regulator, especially if you have an early model 1993.

 

​

 

The fuel pressure regulator for the Northstar engine is mounted inside the plenum under the intake cover. Early 1993 Northstar Allante engines were produced with rigidly mounted intake plenum covers with the nut resembling an acorn securing the cover to the top of the lower intake plenum.

​

 

Remove the twelve intake plenum cover retainers. Lift off the cover.

 

​

 

The early style employs 8mm acorn nut style heads. The upgraded style wilt urilize a T30 mm Torx socket to unscrew the large diameter heads. Make sure you keep track of the large rubber grommets under the later style bolt heads. These rubber grommets are used to absorb the force of the explosion if one should occur. The cover lifts about ¼ of an inch to vent the force created. This venting saves the

plenum from damage.

 

Once the cover has been removed, if all you are doing is replacing the fuel pressure regulator, locate the regulator. It is under the fuel rail wiring harness cover, near the throttle body. You will see a small vertical port coming out of the top. Pick up the

harness cover to access the fuel pressure regulator, then pull the regulator out of the harness cover and free of the plastic fuel rail pipe.

 

New Delco fuel pressure regulators come with the lower seal and retainer separately in a small bag. It is imperative that these pans be installed in the bottom of the fuel pressure regulator prior to installing the regulator in the car.

 

If the plenum is being replaced, take off the throttle body by removing the four T-40 Torx head screws that hold the throttle body to the plenum.

The fuel line retainers are a four leg internal spring clip, and all four legs must be depressed to clear a small flange on the end of each metal tube. You can use a small pick and small screwdriver, but this

takes significant patience and perhaps a little bit of luck in a confined area. If the ends are destroyed during removal, they will have to be replaced all the way back to the fuel tank. With the tool properly

inserted, they release easily. Place rags over the exposed intake ports so nothing falls inside while exposed.

 

​

 

Notice the starter motor tucked in the valley between the rags.

 

To this point, these instructions can also be used for Northstar starter replacement.

 

Once the lines have been disconnected, the plenum can be lifted off.

 

​

 

Remove the injector harness and injectors and fuel rail from the old plenum. The replacement plenum will need to be fitted with the new fuel pressure regulator, the fuel rail, fuel injectors, and injector harness prior to being reinstalled on the engine.

 

​

Once these parts have been installed on the replacement plenum,

 

​

 

clean off the bottom surface of the plenum before

 

​

 

removing the rags and reinstalling the plenum back on the engine.

 

​

 

Reconnect the throttle body, fuel lines, vacuum lines, and harness connectors.