1997formula

I bought a 97 formula 9 months ago, it has only 45,000 miles. yesterday it blew the head gasket. the oil is milky and theres oil spray all over the fire wall. My question is what should I do? The car is completely stock. The dealer wants $1700 to replace just one head gasket. Another place said for $2100 they would rebuild the whole engine. I'm worried about the bearings. So I think I might go ahead and rebuild the hole thing. What can I do to get some more power? I don't want to go crazy, maybe a different cam? Thanks :

Smokn '94 Z

$1700 to replace 1 head gasket? Hell I'll replace both of them for that and add a cam...

Sorry about your luck but I hope you don't consider paying someone $1700 to change the head gasket.. You can find someone to do it for a ton cheaper than that...

Good Luck...

GreenDemon

If you don't trust yourself to do it, or just don't have time, then you should ask around for a reputable shop with decent rates. Or you could offer a car nut some cash to do it in their spare time. And there's lots of things you could do to make your car more powerful, but it's best to start from the outside, plus most rotating assembly parts cost quite a bit. You could do a heads and cam combo if you're also willing to spend money on headers and exhaust.

pearlpurple

What ever you do do not just fix one head gasket as the other is not far behind. This motor either was over heated at one time or a lot of city driving (short trips) where the motor never got up to operating temp and stayed there long enough.

Also $1700 is high. The hours to do the job I estimate around 10 at $50/hour = $500, parts including fluids estimated at $400 for a total of $900. I think my estimate may be a tad high but safe.

This is also assuming all you will need to do is true up the heads and your bottom end has not recieved any damage due to coolant in the oil.

97WS6SCharged

Yeah, definately drain all the milky oil out ASAP. You don't want water/mush on the bearings one second longer than necessary. As far as doing the work, it's not really hard to do, it's just time consuming. I'd say get a shop manual and try it yourself.

jim88iroc305

find a good speed shop mechanic who works on LT 1's if you don't do your own work. The heads should be cleaned up by a machinist and checked. They should come back from the machinist looking brand new from a bead blast. Now is the time to do 1.6 roller rockers if they're in your plan. Get a Fel Pro headgasket set - the kit with all gaskets required. Should come in around $2,200 and since you're gonna spend it you mine as well spend it right.

good luck.

jdizzell

Head gaskets are easy to do but will take a weekend. I have done three so far using a Haynes manual. Only cost me around $400 and that includes a machine shop checking the heads for cracks, cleaning and putting new valves in.

Just don’t get intimidated by the job. Get a Chilton’s or Haynes, read over how to take off the intake and the heads before starting the job. Trust me it isn’t that bad, the first time I did a head gasket job was about four years ago and I had no mechanical ability/ knowledge and no money at time so I just taught myself. Plus you have this board as reference also!

One thing the Haynes doesn’t mention is that you have to get your heads checked for cracks and straightness at a machine shop. Also put new valves in.

92rslt1

were are you located?? $1700 is robbery. its not a whole days work. i would hate to give someone that much money for one day or less of sweat.

derek411

about 2 months ago, i warped both of my heads on my z28...........it cost me $900 to get both of them fixed and get ALL new gaskets.........I rebuilt the whole top half of the engine all by myself, and I had NO prior knowledge of engines at all...........I suggest going and buying a Haynes Repair Manual for you car..........it has detailed instructions on completely rebuilding your entire car. Also, since my heads got warped they cut them.......which gave me more compression.......which means more power

ibanez6rg

Easy stuff.

1997formula

I live in the pittsburgh PA area. I found a place that will do it for $1000. with a warranty. But I have to take and have the heads done, and buy all the gaskets. What gaskets should I get?

jim88iroc305

To have the heads cleaned up, 3 angle valve job, mill and pressure test should be around $325.

The Fel Pro headgasket kit which includes all gaskets necessary is can be had for around $140.00. Check Fel-Pro's website to verify part number.

$1,000 in labor is about right for someone who knows what they're doing around my part. $1,400 if you do roller rockers.

If you're gonna do 1.6 roller rockers nows the time.

Good luck

jim88iroc305

Mine was done with ported LT 1 heads from a 96 vette, 1.6 roller rockers, goodyear hi miler hoses, with engine in car. Everything comes off from the top, except the bloody headers which are there to stay now with 1" Stage 8's!