Hi guys,

I'm having trouble scraping together enough cash to to a rebuild on my LT1. I blew a head gasket a few weeks ago, and the car has been parked ever since. It would run as if it was constantly missing on one or two cylinders. A compression test proved I had blown in cylinder 1&3.

I've read a few different opinions on the matter -- some people say just plane the heads and get them pressure checked, and it should be OK. Others say just do a whole rebuild.

I don't have oil in the coolant (not yet anyways) nor does the oil look bad on the dipstick. I've read that soon as coolant touches the bearings it's game over, but others say its OK. I figured I'd ask you guys on what you think I should do. A rebuild around here is 2800 installed vs just head gasket replacement coming in at 230 or so, with the machine work done. If i were to rebuild the heads, it'd probably be closer to 400.

Anyways, what do you think I should do?

 

What is your oil pressure?

 

i'll have to check now, but it was always at "80" at running temp and 60~ when the car is first turned on.

 

A bit on the high side for sure, but assuming that's accurate I would not immediately jump to conclusions on rebuilding the entire engine. If the head gaskets have blown and you haven't been hot-******* it around in knowing so then it is usually safe to assume the bottom end doesn't need to be touched.

 

The reason people say if you get coolant in the oil, it washes the bearings and the oil really can't lube everything like it needs too. Check your heads and do gaskets unless you want to rebuild it.