L98 Head Gaskets

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

May 31, 2018 | 12:34 AM

jv_72_jv

Thread Starter

Intermediate

Joined: Apr 2018

Posts: 32

Likes: 0

L98 Head Gaskets

1989 L98 with minor oil leak from sealant at "china walls". Thinking about doing the head gaskets as preventive "maintenance" since I will already have the intake off and it seems that the aluminum headed L98s have head gasket issues. 74,000 on the clock and no history of head gasket replacement. I'm also doing the water pump ( bearing shot ), valve cover gaskets and restoring the covers ( starting to peel ).
Should I pass on head gaskets for now since I have absolutely no symptoms or issues, or do the lot ? Also considering new injectors and servicing the fuel pressure regulator. Thoughts and opinions appreciated

John

Last edited by jv_72_jv; May 31, 2018 at 12:35 AM.

May 31, 2018 | 02:13 AM

Pwnage1337

Tech Contributor

Joined: Oct 2008

Posts: 3,729

Likes: 190

From: Custer, WI

If it were mine, I would pass on the head gaskets. Mileage is pretty young. Pulling the heads is a little more involved. Unless you're bolting on performance parts that are going to stress the heads more, I wouldn't touch them.

May 31, 2018 | 04:02 AM

GREGGPENN

Race Director

Joined: Nov 2003

Posts: 12,220

Likes: 446

From: Overland Park Kansas

2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)

C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019

Preventative maintenance wouldn't typically include head gasket replacement. It's true there have been failures at the rear of the heads but I'd question the percentage of failures first. Plus, unless you're pulling the exhaust manifolds FOR ANOTHER REASON, it really is a lot of extra work that may not be necessary. Our EGR pipe alone is a big enough PITA I'd want to avoid -- w/o cause.

May 31, 2018 | 08:12 AM

aklim

Team Owner

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 28,357

Likes: 3,253

From: Hartford WI

Quote:

Originally Posted by jv_72_jv

I wouldn't unless I have some serious reason for it. Now if you are going there, might as well fluff up and refresh the heads. If I am doing that, might as well change the intake. See where this is going?

I would call FIC and ask what size injector he recommends since your old ones are either Multec and/or have some crud in them. Get his reman ones so you have the ability to get gas from any station that sells gasoline instead of having to limit yourself to pure gas only.

May 31, 2018 | 11:59 AM

WW7

Le Mans Master

Joined: Aug 2007

Posts: 8,735

Likes: 412

From: WV

If it aint broke, don't fix it...

.....WW

May 31, 2018 | 02:07 PM

VikingTrad3r

Oil Producer

Joined: Apr 2014

Posts: 9,360

Likes: 2,732

having done my 85 myself, and now i have my 86 down to the heads (intake gasket leak) i am not pulling heads. i did a leakdown test and a compression test and all was well. replace coolant to get some fresh inhibitors in there and u will be fine.

May 31, 2018 | 03:18 PM

jv_72_jv

Thread Starter

Intermediate

Joined: Apr 2018

Posts: 32

Likes: 0

Thanks for the input everyone ! It was a wild hair up you know where idea. The heads do look really easy to do, compared to some of the more modern DOHC engines that I've serviced the head gaskets on. I'm a 100% believer in the ain't broke don't fix philosophy and underneath the oil fill cap and what you can see inside the oil fill hole is absolutely clean, no sludge, no varnish, looks like it has 5,000 miles on it. Hopefully the cooling system was serviced like the oil was 🤞

John

Jun 1, 2018 | 05:16 AM

kenmohr

Drifting

Joined: Feb 2008

Posts: 1,537

Likes: 177

From: NE Ohio

2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified

Quote:

Originally Posted by jv_72_jv

I too am a believer of if it’s not broke etc. However 1 1/2 years ago I did the intake gaskets and all. Last Nov. replaced blown head gasket. It was rotting away. Good luck on your decision