Head gasket replacement

Maiden69 · Oct 11, 2013

Well guys, I managed to hurt the engine. Radiator hose broke, car overheated. I thought I was able to get out of traffic fast enough and wait till it completely cool down before refilling it back up, but apparently it was not enough. Car is using about 8-10oz of coolant daily and that is on a small 30 min commute from home to work and back. When it hits boost it leaves a pretty sizeable white cloud from the exhaust on downshift.

I will be taking the heads off Sunday to drop them off at the machine shop for resurfacing, and I will like to know if there is anything I need to be aware off before taking them apart. I have the LS1howto on an F-body car, but just wanted to make sure there is no tips or tricks that guys have done here and would like to share.

I have never worked on a V8 before, only on small vw (bug) engines but I have done everything so far on this car as far as the turbo was refered, so I do know my way around tools. I was planning on waiting a little longer to swap a cam and a set of 243 heads, but it seems like I will either save the funds and work on a different long block or just fix the car and sale it, as the wife is getting frustrated with it breaking so much lately.

Any help or information will be appreciated.

shonuff330 · Oct 11, 2013

Are you using studs or bolts currently?

Maiden69 · Oct 11, 2013

bolts, completely stock engine other than turbo charged.

shonuff330 · Oct 11, 2013

I would recommend using Studs considering it boosted. Once the heads come off its all about cleanliness of the deck surface. Cleaning the graphite off works pretty well with a plastic ice scraper and some carb cleaner. For the holes I would recommend http://http://www.hinsonsupercars.com/p-492-arp-thread-cleaning-chaser-11-200mm-thread-pitch.aspx to clean up the holes of debris but also make sure they are dry of coolant and other liquids first

Maiden69 · Oct 11, 2013

Cool thanks, as far as gaskets... I was suggested to get Cometic, and as far as I know I have to wait till the heads are milled to know what size, is there any benefit of using OEM GM gaskets or the Cometic is a good choice?

shonuff330 · Oct 11, 2013

Ive heard mixed reviews on the cometic's. Myself am using GM MLS gaskets however i didnt mill my heads. Depending on how much you are milling your's will depend on how thick of gasket you need to use

Maiden69 · Oct 11, 2013

k, thanks.

shonuff330 · Oct 11, 2013

No problem. Take your time and have fun :hbang:

batboy · Oct 12, 2013

Make sure you have a machine shop check the heads for cracks.

Maiden69 · Oct 12, 2013

I am taking them to a local shop that was recommended. I hope they are not cracked because it will really suck as budget is very low, hopefully closing on a house pretty soon!

shonuff330 said:
No problem. Take your time and have fun :hbang:

I will, I am guessing about 3 hrs take off then about the same if not a bit more to re-assemble.

A_VAS · Oct 12, 2013

if they are cracked...241's are cheap. like <$100/set usually

Head gasket replacement

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