Head gasket swap attempt...

[2 die 4]

So I'm attempting to replace the head gaskets in my first lt1... Any tips or tricks would be greatly appreciated..

[Fastbird]

By the book. As in take your time, don't cut corners, make extra sure that the block and head decks are squeaky clean.

[2 die 4]

I took my time getting the drivers side head off wasn't terribly hard but the head is cracked .... Gonna work on getting the passenger side off on my next day off....

[popo8]

Cracked head.. better than block. Always look for the positive.

LTXtech.com is my DRUG!

[2 die 4]

lol yeah i guess i have a reason to upgrade to aluminum heads. :) but still have to stay on the tightest budget possible right now.

[englundjd]

you can pick up assembled lt1 heads for $200 all day

[MI6TA]

If you know what you're doing the head gasket may not be too difficult. Worst part about these cars is the lack of room in the engine bay. Man it's tight!

This would definitely be the time to get aluminums!
I'd just considered that since an iron head cracked, are you positive the block didn't also?

[popo8]

Remember.. hes doin it on a b body hearst.

LTXtech.com is my DRUG!

[MI6TA]

oh yeah.... haha. :doh:

[popo8]

Lol... its uncommon.. so its no wonder u assumed fbody. i think this thing is gonna be bad ass. other than the DEAD PEOPL heebie jeebies.nlol

LTXtech.com is my DRUG!

[2 die 4]

lol... may stick with iron heads found a set local for 100.00.... id love the aluminum ones but i like the price and the fact that i can pick them up local and look them over before i buy.

[Sahara54]

Don't forgot to use copper coat on the head gaskets,new hardware and thread sealant. Also, I can't remember how many miles you said it has but a timing set would prob. be a good investment. Now would be the time if you want to throw a small cam in. I think I saw a cc503 in the F/S section, that would be a decent cam for stock heads.

[popo8]

a camd hearst.. way cool

LTXtech.com is my DRUG!

[2 die 4]

it has 90k miles.

[97 6speed z]

lol yeah i guess i have a reason to upgrade to aluminum heads. :) but still have to stay on the tightest budget possible right now.


lol... may stick with iron heads found a set local for 100.00.... id love the aluminum ones but i like the price and the fact that i can pick them up local and look them over before i buy.

If you do truly want to "upgrade" to a set of the aluminum LT1 heads (maybe just to take another 40 lbs. off the front end of that hearse???:laugh:), I have a "bone stock/untouched" set of 561 castings off of my 1997 Z28. They have 44,000 original miles on them, and ....... worked perfectly when I pulled them.

$199 and actual shipping, and they are yours, and .......... let me know if you want photos of them.

[2 die 4]

ok so i picked up a set of aluminum heads from a member on here. They were shipped out today so I should have them in just a few days. i really wish i was on such a small budget now because there are so many things i'd like to do while i have the heads off. but oh well.. I guess a running car is better than a lawn ornament.. im off on thursday and the weather is supposed to be decent so hopefully i can get the other head off and everything cleaned up and ready to go back together.

[popo8]

What kinda stuff do u have planned. We can keep an eye out for deals on what ubwant.

LTXtech.com is my DRUG!

[2 die 4]

id like to do either some 1.6 rollers or a mild cam. but im really new to these lt1's so im still not sure what would be the best route to go

[popo8]

cant go wrong with top end parts.

LTXtech.com is my DRUG!

[Sahara54]

id like to do either some 1.6 rollers or a mild cam. but im really new to these lt1's so im still not sure what would be the best route to go


cant go wrong with top end parts.

LTXtech.com is my DRUG!

It's def. your best bang for the buck.

[firebird_1995]

Man while you have the heads off do the cam. I'm sure there's a good mild cam hanging around here somewhere.

[2 die 4]

I wish i had the extra cash to do the cam.. but my funds are depleted right now... :(

[firebird_1995]

I hear ya. You gonna try to get the impala head gaskets for a little compression bump?

[2 die 4]

I just bought the direct replacement set for the caddy

[2 die 4]

i got my heads in today.. :) gonna take them over to have them resurfaced on tuesday. and begin putting it back together

[popo8]

awesome! Have u been doin anything else to the car while ya wait?

LTXtech.com is my DRUG!

[2 die 4]

no ive been at work... im off today but too much rain to work on it... :(

[Camaro350z2897]

ya if you even think about a tiny bigger cam you must upgrade those valve springs. they are weak almost for the stock fbody cam. budget is budget but it at least needs to be done to work so dont over look those. i mean you have heads off already its too bad you cant just upgrade springs now for down the road if you did ever do a cam

[2 die 4]

the heads i have have been upgraded to lt4 springs. not sure how much of an improvement that is from lt1 springs but its what i have lol.

[2 die 4]

Ok guys when putting the steam pipe back on are there any orings or crush washers or anything of that sort that need to go on??? I didn't notice any as I took it apart but it just seems like something should be there to keep the steam from escaping.

[Injuneer]

Shoebox has a picture and the part #:

http://shbox.com/1/steam_pipe_seal.jpg

http://shbox.com/1/steam_pipe_seal.jpg

[2 die 4]

thanx. i done some research and then called a few buddies and ended up finding a set local.

[popo8]

Awesome.. is she close to firing up. In really excited to see this thing runnin.

LTXtech.com is my DRUG!

[2 die 4]

the heads are on and torqued down push rods and rocker arms are done. still have to put the exhaust manis back on and all the rest of the top end stuff... intake mani,fuel rail, throttle body, etc etc... doin what i can between shifts at work. im off at 5 tomorrow and have all day monday so hopefully she will fire up monday.

[popo8]

Make sure to keep us posted. May be slow on here sometimes.. but believe me.. many of us are following/watching.

LTXtech.com is my DRUG!

[2 die 4]

Everything is back together but I think my coil is bad... No spark at all even at the coil... Used a test light (can't find my multimeter) and checked the pig tail going to the coil has good power going to the coil... But checking the post on the coil it barely lights up the tester.. Anyone want to confirm my suspicions or tell me what else could be causing my problem?

[2 die 4]

ITS ALIVE!!!!!!!!! Opti harness had came unplugged. but i after i hooked it up she started with now problem. wooohooooo :)

[popo8]

Shoot.. just read your previous post, and I was gonna say, go over all the plugs and connections.

Sorry man.. Im always all over the site.... I missed it.

Glad its up and running.

[2 die 4]

gonna double check everything in the morning and bolt all the misc parts back on.. lol then let her idle for a while to make sure there are no more overheating issues or leaks. then i'll shoot a video of her running.

[95albinobird]

I was reading through this thread I noticed no one said MAKE SURE THERE IS NOTHING IN THE CYLINDERS they must be clean clean clean if there any debris in there is I give it 1k before you have problems. have you ever had something in you teeth that feels huge then you get it out and it's just a speck.that is what foreign objects like a tiny piece of gasket are like on your rings

[2 die 4]

they were super super clean. i made sure of that.

[popo8]

Also... bleed...bleed and bleed again man....

And cover the opti if you can while bleeding.

[2 die 4]

can do.... all of that is in the works for tomorrow mornin.