jagevileye21

iTrader: (3)

Today,

When I checked the oil, I noticed it was a little high on the dipstick. So I decided to change the oil just because I haven't changed it since the last time I tried to remove the oil cooler. Anyway, when I unscrewed the oil plug the oil came out milky and very watery. I am pretty sure that I might have a blown head gasket I just wanted to see if you guys agree. How involved is changing a head gasket besides removing the intake and heads?

Thanks in advance,
Jay

j dezzy

iTrader: (12)

Remember that you have to take the distributor out too. you'll have to set your timing once it's all abck together. Put a mark on your dist. cap and on the firewall to mark the current location. it'll help when setting it later.

Klortho

LT1's don't have standard distributors. They are in the front of the engine.

Best thing also, pull the headers off and take them out as well, makes for easier removal. Also you may want to go ahead and get new headbolts since some of the LT1's have stretch bolts, but I believe that started in '96. I changed mine to be on the safe side. You'll also have to pull the accessory bracket as well.

A blown head gasket could also make the car run the way it's been running, might have just found the main reason....although a sucky reason.

jagevileye21

iTrader: (3)

Yeah I know, I wish it was a sensor or something. Anyway, thanks for the help so far.

Jay

j dezzy

iTrader: (12)

Ya know, I completly forgot about that. lol. sorry. I just got done rebuilding a 305, 350, and a 400...I had distributor on my brain.

jagevileye21

iTrader: (3)

Okay, I changed the gaskets and I have everything back together. Now I just need to know one thing. How do I adjust the valve lash? Should I tighten the adjustment nut down initially or should I leave them loose before starting it?

I plan on doing the valve lash adjustment with the engine running?

Thanks,
Jay

Klortho

take it to 0 lash, then if I remember another 1/4 turn.

jagevileye21

iTrader: (3)

Went out today tried to fix the intake leak. Upon removal I noticed that the oil looked alittle watery. Check the dipstick and the same thing.

Question:

After changing a head gasket did you notice that the oil was still alittle watery. Maybe from the residual coolant that was still in the cylinders. Could somebody help me out with this before I take the passenger cylinder head back off.

Thanks in Advance,
Jay

5678TA

so, new head gaskets and more water?? did you change both?? how much water?? same as before you changed the gasket??

i would change the oil again and see how much water got back in, if any.. could be the left over water.. you can only hope it was the left overs..

if its not just the left overs, do i dare think a cracked block??

jagevileye21

iTrader: (3)

5678TA,

Yes, new head gaskets and more water. I changed both and I checked the heads for warping. When I drained the oil I did not find as much water in the oil as last time. So I'm hoping that it was just some left over fluid. Anyway, do you think I should put some motor flush in when I change the oil? Just so it can circulate and clean all the stuff out.

I don't even want to think about a cracked block.

Thanks,
Jay

5678TA

you can flush it if you want.. if you really think its still leaking, put a leak sealer in the water system.. most sealers require that ALL the anti-freeze be out of the system.. i leaked a bit once and i ran that stuff in my motor at one time.. now i run straight water in my motor.. no anti-freeze/water mix..