I've just bought a 1990 coupe 6speed. Great shape, runs really well, 180k miles, on its second engine with 90k on it. Problem is that a head gasket is leaking coolant that Bar's leak hasnt fixed. I'm not all that mechanically inclined and got a quote for about $1200 to swap out both head gaskets with labor included. The car was bought via auction and not much is known about it. I'm wondering if I should spend that money and all i have really acheived is a shiny new set of head gaskets? Or put that money towards a new long block and have a moslty new or remanufactured engine? Its just a second car for me and my first vette. I'm not concerned about resale value, i just want a car that runs well. I also have no idea what it would cost to have someone put in a new motor would cost either. Just looking for some input...thanks in advance.

 

Go for the long block :yesnod:
1200 is one nice chunk and then you know the history of the engine.
90000 miles with no history can be a money trap.

 

as long as the oil and coolant have not mixed, and there is no coolant going out the tail pipe, the long block should be ok.

if you are mechanically inclined, this is not a hard job...

 

Bar's leak is okay, hit or miss, with radiator leaks. I'm not sure about head leaks.

But let me say this much, make sure the leak isn't so bad that it's polluting your oil with water. Check your dipstick to see if the oil looks like chocolate Yoo Hoo. If it does, you have real trouble.

The kind of cash you're talking about can take you toward a new engine. But that won't include pulling the old motor and installing it. Pulling the motor isn't hard. But it take time and patience and the willingness to try something new. My first time took me the better part of an evening.

A lot depends on how much you want to spend or save. If your budget is tight, and you can have the car down for awhile, I say do the job yourself and save big $$$. It's not that hard and you'll learn a lot.

If you can't have the car down for awhile, while you try to figure it all out, and you're at your $$ limit for the head job itself (a worthy engine will run $3000 before it's even installed) just get the head work done. But make sure the engine is worth it. Don't pay that kind of jack on an engine with low compression. If it's been maintained, you'll be okay. But if not...you're throwing your money away.

To tackle this kind of job, be it pulling the motor or updating the gaskets, you've come to the right place. This group will guide you through the whole thing and help you with any questions you may have.

Good luck with it.

:cheers:

 

I really appreciate the replys. i have been browsing the net for a good long block, but seem rather lost with all the options. I think i have a two bolt main, whatever that is and have found some good deals on remanufactured engines. There is just so many options, I'd like to head towards the zz4 but seems like a nightmare with my mechanic skills and tools with the tpi setup.

 

I think the guys are saying you could benefit from some diagnostics on your engine. A compression check will tell you if all cylinders are strong; a check of the oil will tell you if all is well internally.

If you pull the heads I would consider having them pocket ported with new (larger) valves, valve guides and such. Later when you get the "mods bug" you are already well ahead of the game with a nice 25chp boost in HP.

Indeed pulling the heads isn't a trivial repair but armed with a GM Shpo Manual for your Vette, some quality tools and the help of this Forum you should be able to do it, if you are so inclined to (or think you might be) wrenching.

 

I had corvettes of dallas do a full check of the car when i got it to tell me virtually every lightbulb, scratch, and wheel bearing that needs to be replaced. the big ticket items boiled down to valve covers leaking(both) and a cracked left rear head gasket which were going to be the bulk of 14.7 hours to fix(quoted). Oil still looks good, i can't comment on compression but wasnt told of any difficulties there. This is just a second car for me, I put a 180 thermostat in it the other day, and i'd love to get into more stuff on it. I have plenty of time, but there are an awful lot of wires sticking out of that motor thing! :confused:

 

It sounds like this may be your opportunity to get into some mods and realy get to know that L98. Since it's a second car and winter is comming it would be a good time to do it.

As I said the GM Shop Manual is essential and it fully explains and locates all those wires & sensors.

It realy isn't difficult, just some unknowns at this time.

So far I've had the entire intake system, valve covers and exhaust manifolds off, learning as I went. I was so close to the heads that it was very difficult to not just "do it", but relented since I don't have a garage in which to work.

I have about 126k miles on my Vette, quite a few 1/4mile at a time, and it is still pulling strong. If you decide to pull the heads yourself it would be worth the cost. Just take your time, put all bolts into labeled Zip-Locks and you should be fine.

 

I guess the chiltons I already bought for the C4 won't cover enough? Are they many performance mods one can do while the heads are off?

 

Hey 65Z01,

I put my bolts into ZIP LOCK bags and couldn't get them back out.......
Lost my PKUNZIP and my WINZIP programs.
You have to be careful zipping stuff up like that. :party: