Ok so here is the short story.

I have a 96 Z28 with about 125K on it. It is in great shape other than the motor. I have a blown head gasket and would like to have it fixed. Considering the milage it would make no sense to me to not rebuild since it has to come out anyway. Here is what I am concerned with. I am tired of having "friends" help me fix it and it not be fixed right, if you know what I mean. I DO NOT have the aptitude to pull the motor myself, nor the tools and space required. So my questions are these.

1) Can I take the car to just one place and have all of that done. Or do I have to have one place pull the motor and then a another place do the rebuild only to give it back to the original shop to put it back in?

2) What will it cost me, agian just a ruff guess, to pull the motor and have it put back in?

3) I think the one machine shop I spoke to said about 2500 to rebuild it with a good parts and under the impression that I did not want it stock but nothing radical either. I think he was talking somewhere around 350-375 horsepower. Is that about right?

4) Is there anything I am forgetting to mention that I should take into account? I have thought to replace the clutch since the motor will be out anyway and it has 125K on it. Anything else?

Thanks much!!!!! I have been reading on the forums for a while now but never really had much to say, but I must say that this is a great place to learn **** and to get help...


Thanks

Brian

 

Since when do you have to pull the motor for a head gasket ??

In other words, you do not need to. Its really not that difficult. Just time consuming

 

you can change a head gasket yourself, in the car for around $100 (gaskets), why pull the motor if you don't have to or you don't have the money.

If your going to have a shop do this kind of work, make damn sure you get plenty of references and find out as much as you can about the place. Its going to cost you a lot of $$$ to have someone else pull your motor though.

 

Remove intake, exhaust manifolds, alternator and some hoses and wires and you're there... I mean little stuff here and there, but its really not that hard. Plus you can clean your heads and piston tops while its open, and maybe throw in some new valves and springs See, I look at the positives in every situation...

 

The job requires a "head gasket kit" not just a head gasket. The kit will give you all gaskets required for job - head, intake, manifold ... which lists for approx $300 and can be had for $150

The heads should be cleaned up by a machinist before putting back.

If the engine is running strong a rebuild isn't necessary; but now would be the time to do 1.6 roller rockers (approx $300) ( do a search and find out fitment issues with stock valve covers) buy nicer valve covers (approx $150) and check valves.

Rates vary around but I would guess around $600 for mechanics labor to do all of the above with parts you supply.

 

I just fixed my head gasket problem. ALL the gaskets were $100 bucks at Autozone. Need to have heads checked for compression ($30 a head) and re-planed in case of warpage (another $30 a head). Then put it all back together. I would suggest a valve job while heads are off too since your mileage is high. Any other changes are up to you and what you want to spend.

Remember just because you take it somewhere doesn't mean it will be done right. If you do it, at least you know what is going on. It will take some time though. My 0.02.

 

Well this made my day a little brighter

THANKS for the info I will ask around. I have a local drag strip about 20 miles from here so I am sure I can find a good shop with references to do the work but I really was under the impression that I would have to pull the motor... Thanks again for the help.


Brian