First timer Head Gasket replacement
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,428
Likes: 5
From: Japan
I'm in agreement with others that this looks very much like a cracked head, not [just] a blown gasket- the water on TOP of the center header pipes gives it away, and that's right where small block Chevy heads crack. Don't just clean it up and bolt it back together or you'll very likely wind up doubling your work. Numbers matching or not, they're useless if they're cracked. Get them checked out once they're off the car. BTW, I've had the motor out of mine three times and every time it miraculuosly made its way back in!
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 180
Likes: 1
From: Charleston SC
I would definitely have the heads checked out!
Here was my ordeal:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...s-cracked.html
Here is the fix:
Just FYI
Here was my ordeal:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...s-cracked.html
Here is the fix:
Just FYI
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
I must be the luckiest guy in the world right now. I haven't really gotten to know my next door neighbor that well since I moved in to my new house a couple of years ago, but I have seen him pulling cars around to his shop every now and then.
I walked over to his house last night and thought I'd see if he had any expertise in the area of SB chevy's... turns out he's rebuilt over a dozen of them! Wow! He was eager to come over and see the Corvette, so we mozied across the yard and he confirmed it was a blown head gasket at the least. Possibly a cracked head since they are cast iron.
We had a beer and chatted for over an hour and he asked if I had air tools -which I don't. He suggested that starting next Tuesday I bring the car into his shop and we'll do it together. Heck, he even asked if he could call his son up to come over and work on it with us too!
Pretty excited to have an expert mechanic living next door! I will be buying all the for this project!
I walked over to his house last night and thought I'd see if he had any expertise in the area of SB chevy's... turns out he's rebuilt over a dozen of them! Wow! He was eager to come over and see the Corvette, so we mozied across the yard and he confirmed it was a blown head gasket at the least. Possibly a cracked head since they are cast iron.
We had a beer and chatted for over an hour and he asked if I had air tools -which I don't. He suggested that starting next Tuesday I bring the car into his shop and we'll do it together. Heck, he even asked if he could call his son up to come over and work on it with us too!
Pretty excited to have an expert mechanic living next door! I will be buying all the
for this project!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 65
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
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Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
You'll keep them for as long as you keep the car, unless you get BIG power dreams in your head.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,116
Likes: 5
From: Livonia MI
I must be the luckiest guy in the world right now. I haven't really gotten to know my next door neighbor that well since I moved in to my new house a couple of years ago, but I have seen him pulling cars around to his shop every now and then.
I walked over to his house last night and thought I'd see if he had any expertise in the area of SB chevy's... turns out he's rebuilt over a dozen of them! Wow! He was eager to come over and see the Corvette, so we mozied across the yard and he confirmed it was a blown head gasket at the least. Possibly a cracked head since they are cast iron.
We had a beer and chatted for over an hour and he asked if I had air tools -which I don't. He suggested that starting next Tuesday I bring the car into his shop and we'll do it together. Heck, he even asked if he could call his son up to come over and work on it with us too!
Pretty excited to have an expert mechanic living next door! I will be buying all the for this project!
I walked over to his house last night and thought I'd see if he had any expertise in the area of SB chevy's... turns out he's rebuilt over a dozen of them! Wow! He was eager to come over and see the Corvette, so we mozied across the yard and he confirmed it was a blown head gasket at the least. Possibly a cracked head since they are cast iron.
We had a beer and chatted for over an hour and he asked if I had air tools -which I don't. He suggested that starting next Tuesday I bring the car into his shop and we'll do it together. Heck, he even asked if he could call his son up to come over and work on it with us too!
Pretty excited to have an expert mechanic living next door! I will be buying all the
for this project!
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,682
Likes: 3
From: League City TX
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,116
Likes: 5
From: Livonia MI
Think you'll be fine with standard intake gaskets from the local parts store, as swapped several different brands of manifolds over the years without problem. Not a bad idea checking with the manifold maufacturer, or Summit Racing tech lines though. Since maybe in contact with Summit, may as well order some Mr Gasket Ultra Seal header gaskets while at it. The mentioned Brodix or AFR heads are probably more than you're wanting, but wouldn't hurt scanning the forum's parts for sale for sale section, or even post you're looking for some stockers.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
These are about the cheapest decent aluminum heads I have been able to find.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EDL-5089/
However, you could go this way:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-152123/
Or this:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-152123/
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-226019/
Alot of ways to go, here, give it some thought.
Scott
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EDL-5089/
However, you could go this way:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-152123/
Or this:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-152123/
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-226019/
Alot of ways to go, here, give it some thought.
Scott
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 15
From: Oxford Ohio
While you have them off there are all sorts of things you could be checking. If it were me I'd do as I think it was 63split said. Have the heads magnafluxed or pressure tested, Resurface, and if it were me I'd replace the seals. Not expensive. If I didn't have the tools, I'd get loaners from the parts store and take a look at the valves, seats and guides.
Heck, you've got them off and where you can get at them. You may as well check what you can.
Heck, you've got them off and where you can get at them. You may as well check what you can.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,938
Likes: 848
From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
For what you're now talking about doing with the pan and all, probably give some serious consideration, of just pulling the motor. Plus are you sure it's the pan gasket, and not the rear main seal. You may want to list your location, as some hear may have equipment/tools to lend, and maybe even give a hand. Keep in mind, if the new head gaskets are thicker than the originals, you'll need to adjust the valves. Probably do it no matter what anyway. The manual should show you this. Probably step back for a bit and give this a little more thought, before rushing into things.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 15
From: Oxford Ohio
Don't let the kit worry you. There will be stuff in there you won't use. That's just shelf stuff. I'd bet everybody on here has "shelf stuff" from kits that cover several applications or not needed for your job.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 95
