I've got a factory 13B ('84 GSL-SE) and I'm taking the top end of the engine (throttle assembly, dynamic chamber, upper intake manifold) off as one assembly as per the factory service manual and the Haynes manual (the first time one's ever done me any good) and I can't help but wonder if I've missed a bolt. I've got all the electrical connectors, vacuum lines, and misc. bits off, and all the bolts, but it's putting up a bully fight.




This is a view from the passenger side of the engine. I've got the four nuts off the rim of the upper intake manifold - you can see two of them on the lower edge of the picture, and a third peeking from between the electrical connectors toward the right. There's a fourth on the left side that's hidden. All four of those nuts are off. That long bolt, dead-center of the picture underneath that hose clip, is also removed. So there's five nuts and bolts.





On the driver's side of the car, and not listed in the FSM or Haynes, is this U-shaped bracket right under the dynamic chamber. It's hidden in this following picture behind the hose...




...and here it is with the bolts removed...





That's five passenger-side bolts/nuts plus two driver-side bolts. Am I missing anything that should be holding the top half of the engine to the lower intake manifold? I realize it's going to be a bear to pry from that gasket - doubt it's been off in 31 years - but I want to make sure before I start cranking on it.

 

Gasket should pop loose practically by itself. I bet you have a hose restricting movement. Check that all vacuum hoses are removed and the coolant hoses in the back of the TB are removed. Only thing after that would be the alternator + on the dynamic chamber.

 

Well, it has to be something. I suppose it's just a matter of time until I see whatever it is and slap my forehead.

 

I've got an complete SE intake/TB in my garage. I'll take a look at after work tomorrow

 

Looks like you've got all of them off, but double check the intake runners - just to be sure. It's easy to miss the one nearest the firewall if you're trying to hurry. Also, the framework for the solenoid bank has those 2x12mm short bolts, but those only need to be loose - as they're not bolted down, just bracing from the rat's nest side.

Apart from that, the coolant hoses don't present much resistance at all; there are 2 to the upper intake manifold and Throttle Body - one from the back of the water pump housing to the thermowax pellet at the rear of the TB, and another from the thermowax pellet down to the top of the block. Neither should provide much tension, though. Good luck,