So tommorow I'm finally going to get the heads off my Z. Basically I'm just repairing the stripped out sparkplug hole with a helicoil. Is there anything else that I should do while the head is off? Or can I just repair to hole and then bolt it back in?

 

Your getting gaskets and new bolts right?

Are you looking for free things? Or ways to spend money?

Cos I can tell you alot about the latter.

 

While the heads are off, I'd have new lt4 springs put on (if the car is high mileage) and have the heads decked. If you have the heads decked, might as well get a 3-angle valve job while they're at the machine shop.

Also, if you want a few extra hp, use a impala head gasket (.029 thickness compared to .049 camaro/firebird). With this, your compression will be 11:1. From what I've gathered, this increase in compression will gain up to 6% hp. I have this and have no problems with it.

 

You are not going to gain 17+ hp from a head gasket change.

Aside from that, I would recommend everything that redcamaro said, he's right on the money. You might as well do the other maitenence items while you are at it.

Added peice of mind and insurance on the engine.

 

Oops, I meant 6hp, not 6%.

 

Hmm....the new springs sounds good. What about cleaning them before I bring them to the shop? Do I just whipe them down or should I not mess with them so much? I have a set of Mr. Gasket .026 gaskets so I think I'm alright in the trying to raise compression there.
Should I got ahead and get new valves too? Or are the stockers ligit peices?

Thanks for the replies

 

If your having new springs and stuff put on then mess with them all u want. They will have to take most of that stuff off anyway.