Gsoleski

My 84 Z28 overheated yesterday to about 240 degrees. Coolant was bubbling in the overflow tank. Let it cool down for a few hours and then tried to start it later but it wouldn't turn over. When I finally got it to start it would want to stall and die if I didn't keep the rpm over 2000. There was white smoke coming out of the tail pipes and lots of it. I just put new coolant in it and also did an oil change. Now the oil is low and so is the coolant. Looks like there is oil in the coolant too and the spark plugs are black. Any help is appreciated

Nicelysedated

Yes

Richboll

And when you pull the heads to replace the gaskets you may want to have them checked for cracks.

Gsoleski

Tomorrow I am marking everything and where it connects to. There's a lot of hoses and crap that are in the way. Hopefully everything goes well because i'm new to fixing anything on cars (most complicated thing i've done is install a new radiator)

TheMonster

It really isn't as hard as it looks, just take things apart and understand what they are. Put parts in labeled bags/buckets for organization when you are putting it back together. When I first bought my car the radiator was caked with leaves and mud and my motor overheated. I later pulled a rocker stud out and found that the head had been cracked.

Any questions just ask in this thread, better to do something right, then break something and have to spend extra money for a shop to do it. (friend broke a header bolt off in his head haha)

Black88Z

Yep, that headgasket is shot.

I do kinda have to disagree though, it isnt THAT hard, but it is something that needs to be done right, and if its not than it can cause problems. Its not something you want to redo in a couple weeks/months because of a screw-up thats for sure. I dont know how much you know about cars and how to work on them, but if you arent sure on how to do it and dont have a friend/family member/neighbor thats willing to help this may be better to take to a shop.

There are step-by-step instructions out there for teardown and rebuild,haynes manuals are great too, so as long as you do it just as it says you should be ok.

Ive done rebuilds before as have alot of the people on here, so if you have any questions of course we are willing to help you the best we can. But i would feel bad if you "bit off more than you can chew" because you werent completely informed on the issue.

85Irocket

If you're new then it's also a good Idea to take pics with a camera or cell phone before you unhook anything that way you can go back and look at the pics if you get stuck. Good luck.

TreeFiddy

Sure sounds like a head gasket. I would also do a compression check to confirm completely, but that's just me.

This is a carb, so at least it's not as complex as a TPI to pull apart and re-assemble. Do some research first so you know what to expect, use labelled zip-lock bags etc for bolts/brackets, and above all take LOTS OF PICS before you pull anything off.

Given it's an overheat, run a straight edge over the head and deck faces to check for warping, and get the heads crack tested. Rotate the engine and check the full depth of each bore for any signs of cracking.

jeff_blake

iTrader: (1)

sounds like a head gasket. good news is there fairly cheap can be a tedious process though

91specialk

Gah! i fear the day that happens to my baby! Keep her under 4k.... Butterfly on the gas pedal

Richboll

I would suggest that even if a compression test shows only one bad side, plan to replace both head gaskets. Make sure that you have both heads checked for warpage and cracks and follow all instructions for proper reassembly. There's nothing worse than doing all of the work and then having to take it apart and redo it because you missed somehing or took a shortcut. On the other hand, its a great experience. Good luck with the project.

kevinstearns

Definately a blown head gasket. If it turns out that only one bank of cylinders has a blown gasket just replace them both. Never replace just one unless u want to do it all over later to replace the second when it blows. After u pull the heads i would rotate the crankshaft and check the cylinder bores for anything out of the ordinary. I overheated the 350 in my truck and blew a head gasket. upon inspection of the cylinder walls i found that i had fried to rings and i came apart in cyl 4 and scored the cylinder. Not really very common but it can happen

Gsoleski

Thanks for the help guys. My dad put in head gaskets a few years back in his car so he knows what to do. Tonight i'm taking pictures and marking where everything connects to for when I put it all back together. I also found out I can get a 350 4 bolt main for free! it just needs to be rebuilt

quick question for any one. I assume most of these hoses are for emission stuff. Can all this be removed? I see pictures of engines that look very clean and organized and don't have all this crap everywhere.

Richboll

If you live in Milwaukee, the answer is probably "No,you can't remove the emissions controls". If you live outside the city and in one of the smaller counties, I think that you can still go without having to have an emissions test. It's been a number of years since I've lived there so before you start disposing of what may or may not be emissions controls, check with someone knowlegable about your local regulations.
Change the head gaskets or not, I'd grab the 350 and plan on a rebuild sooner or later..the price is right

TheMonster

I wouldn't remove anything yet, like richboll said watch the laws. Now a few emissions things CAN be taken off and still pass, but figure out what first haha. This forum is full of info on the dreaded emission equipment so search around.

I would also grab that 350 and do a slow build if you want. Take it to the shop and see what needs done, as well as asking here!

Gsoleski

Here in Milwaukee any car older than 96 I believe doesn't need to go through emissions. So i'm clear for that.

Richboll

As far as I can see you are correct about the 1996 but there are some conditions.

"Exempt vehicles
The following vehicles are exempt from emission requirements (except for vehicles identified as having tampered emissions equipment):

• Vehicles manufactured before 1996. "

But note the exemption about tampered emissions.

I personally would also keep all of the emission controls and pictures of where it goes as it appears that when any car is sold in Wisconsin, it requires a smog test prior to registration in the state. Only becomes a problem if you sell it.

Here's a link to the WI DOT
http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers/vehicles/im.htm

Good luck with the project. Please post some updates.