131,000 miles and blew a head gasket, should I have the heads checked at a machine shop to see if they are warped ? or just replace the gaskets ? I shut the car off when it happened so engine didnt get toasted and had it towed home, coolant leaked onto the wrecker bed between cat converter and Y pipe so exhaust is full of water. Also want to replace lifters at same time, good idea ? the old saying dont put new lifters on old cam ? Thank You in advance for any replies.

 

If you take the heads in to have them checked I can garuntee that the machinest will find a hundred things wrong with them.......they always do. Are you changing both head gaskets or do you know which side blew?
As far as lifters go, you have rollers which inables you to change cams and not have to worry about a break in period like that of a flat tappet cam. I changed my cam and used the same stock lifters and have had zero problems.

 

Not sure what side blew yet but going to do both head gaskets. One other thing I forgot to ask...... Reuse old head bolts or new ones ? Thank You.

 

It's always a good idea to have the heads checked. I had mine done receintly because I blew a head gasket as well. Turns out mine were slightly warped (required about 10 thousands to be taken out of one) and my springs were so weak that the valves were bouncing off the seat when they closed (the solvent they poured in the chambers leaked was pouring past the valves). Either way, you want to make sure the heads aren't warped and that they are perfectly smooth or they will eat your new gaskets. Oh, and invest in a good set of ARP bolts. For fifty bucks, they are relatively cheap insurance.

 

Its not a good idea, its a necessity. You NEED to mill the heads and have them checked for hardness if you overheated them. and new bolts

 

I would have them checked and milled. Mine were cheap like $30 for both.

I would have a valve job done on them also, either by you or same machine shop.

Have fun.

 

131,000 miles... Get new lifters.