Head Gasket
#1
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Bonney Lake/Ellensburg, Washington- WCBF '04, '05, '06, '07 Survivor-
Posts: 7,099
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Head Gasket
Series II N/A. How expensive is it to replace and how hard is it to repair?
#2
Senior Member
Posts like a Supercharger
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: San Jacinto, CA
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you do it yourself, it is not terribly expensive, depending on how in depth you plan to get with the repair. If you plan to have a machine shop go through the heads for you, that will easily be the most expensive part. The rest is gaskets and time, and, if needed, tools. This is based on my experience with a 2.8L V6. I have never had to tear too deep into a 3800, but they don't look any more complicated.
To have a shop do it will be expensive. Most of that will be their labor costs, though.
To have a shop do it will be expensive. Most of that will be their labor costs, though.
#3
DINOSAURUS BOOSTUS
Expert Gearhead
Quick search of Advances website
Head Gasket 20
Head Bolts 32
Lower Intake gasket 63
You'd still need upper and TB ~45
Then it'* all labor. Depends on your comfort level. The upper intake and lower intakes would need to come off. Depending on which head (front/back) will determine the next. A rear (by firewall) head would require the unbolting of the accessory setup from the head only.
Not horrible job..will take some time though.
Head Gasket 20
Head Bolts 32
Lower Intake gasket 63
You'd still need upper and TB ~45
Then it'* all labor. Depends on your comfort level. The upper intake and lower intakes would need to come off. Depending on which head (front/back) will determine the next. A rear (by firewall) head would require the unbolting of the accessory setup from the head only.
Not horrible job..will take some time though.
#4
Junior Member
Posts like a Ricer Type-R
Check your diagnosis first. Head gaskets are extremely rare, and the symptoms may LOOK like the proper diagnosis, but it'* generally some other gasket or failure.
#5
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Bonney Lake/Ellensburg, Washington- WCBF '04, '05, '06, '07 Survivor-
Posts: 7,099
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#8
Senior Member
Certified GM nut
gasket
Agreed, its kinda rare for the 3800 to blow head gaskets with the cast iron head and block. Upper and lower intake gaskets are suspect and like mentioned earlier, if they were neglected and coolant got into the oil for a period of time the motor could be toast.
#9
Senior Member
Posts like a Turbo
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Houston, Tx
Posts: 367
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I bought a '97 SE in non-running condition. I replaced one head, the head gaskets, and the UIM and all associated gaskets. It'* not THAT hard, but does require a bit of mechanical knowledge and experience. By the way, mine is a loaded SLE, with 104k one-owner miles, and I paid $800.
#10
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Philly
Posts: 4,508
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It'* not that bad but if you've never done it before it could take a weekend.
Some things i've noticed..
Don't unhook the fuel rail from the line and TB from the UIM cause you don't need to.
Everything is easy down to the heads. Then you have to mess with rusted exhaust manifold bolts(great for shaving skin off your knuckles) and prepping the block and head. I used brake cleaner I think, a few fresh razor blades, and a red scotch brite pad.
Make sure to run a tap through the head bolt holes a few times to get all the crap out of there. Bill Wren gave me the tip of dabbing a little oil on the head bolts to help distribute the torque on the threads.
Leave the oil in there untill your done then drain it so everything that fell to the pan can get out easier. Then change it!
Its much easier to put the heads in with 2 people on opposite sides of the car.
You can re-use the UIM gasket and TB gasket too.
Some things i've noticed..
Don't unhook the fuel rail from the line and TB from the UIM cause you don't need to.
Everything is easy down to the heads. Then you have to mess with rusted exhaust manifold bolts(great for shaving skin off your knuckles) and prepping the block and head. I used brake cleaner I think, a few fresh razor blades, and a red scotch brite pad.
Make sure to run a tap through the head bolt holes a few times to get all the crap out of there. Bill Wren gave me the tip of dabbing a little oil on the head bolts to help distribute the torque on the threads.
Leave the oil in there untill your done then drain it so everything that fell to the pan can get out easier. Then change it!
Its much easier to put the heads in with 2 people on opposite sides of the car.
You can re-use the UIM gasket and TB gasket too.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
agrazela
General GM Chat
0
03-03-2008 09:38 PM
harofreak00
Lounge
47
02-01-2007 01:10 AM
crzydmnd72
1992-1999
2
01-30-2004 04:45 PM