Ok I know that I have either a blown gasket or a cracked head. My question is is there anyway I could do half of the project of fixxing my car myself or do i have to take it in to the shop and get raped by there prices for the whole thing. The reason I ask is because I believe I could take everything apart but I would wouldn't feel comfortable about putting it together right. If anyone has everdone this before what do you think the cost will be?
Thanks
CRAIG

 

It's shouldn't be hard (time consuming though!). Grab some tape and label every tube and bolt as you remove it. Make sure you have a torque wrench and torque settings for all the bolts and just start removing stuff. If it's a cracked block (which is doubtfull) you're screwed. If it's just a gasket you're fine.

WHat caused it to blow? Overheating? Are you sure it's the gasket. What problems are you having?

 

Last night my car overheated and I didn't notice it for a while. I pulled over and when I looked in the radiator there was no coolant. I filled it up and the coolant level just kept going down. Finally I put enough it to where it stopped going down, and I drove it home. It wasn't overheating when I drove it home , but then It started to have stumble like the engine was flooding. At higher rpms it ran better but everytime I let it idle it would sound like it was going to die. When I got home I checked the oil and it looked like a frappacino(coolant was in there).
I don't mind putting in time but I really don't want to screw anything up. My problem is that I am 19 so I have a lot of bills already and I'm not sure If I will have the money for this for a while. Thats why I wanted to at least do half the labor so it would cut down on the cost.
Sorry this was so long. Thanks for all your guys help.

CRAIG

 

Dude man there isn't much to it when doing 1 head swap

remove the header on that side
remove the intake(8 or so bolts)
remove valve cover
remove rockers/pushrods
remove head partially
you'll notice there is a line in the back, remove it while the head is moved aside, its just one banjo bolts 5/8th socker I think, you need to buy 2 seals from GM for the back bolt.

You need to buy head bolts though don't reuse them or they may never come out again since they are stretch type, if you buy ARP head bolts, you can reuse them up to 3-4 times.

rockers adjustment is easy just go to:
http://www.afrashteh.com/guide/install.htm

it acctually tells you everything there shouldn't take more than a day for ya & you won't mess up trust me

 

I think I am going to try and do it.... thanks for all the help and be ready to answer all the questions I am going to probably have.
Thanks again
Craig