'92 SC - head gasket - replace both head gaskets?

[kaje71]

Just thought I'd get some opinions. My thoughts are probably go ahead and replace both even though only one is leaking because it's not that much more work by the time you get everything disassembled to access the heads. On the other hand, it seems like these cars have some head gasket trouble and if you have one that is sealing maybe it is just better to leave it alone. Let me know your thoughts.

Thanks!

[E-bird]

I personally would replace both, but I'd go beyond that as well. I'd take the heads to the machine shop and have them checked to make sure they are true. (not warped) I would even go as far as getting a valve job done on them too, while they are off.
Just my opnion.

[RingTailCat]

[quote=E-bird]I personally would replace both, but I'd go beyond that as well. I'd take the heads to the machine shop and have them checked to make sure they are true. (not warped) I would even go as far as getting a valve job done on them too, while they are off.
Just my opnion.

Exactly right. Have both heads re-surfaced, do the valve job, and replace both head gaskets.
What I found was the OEM head gaskets have a flaw on the back cylinder seal. My 3.8 SC had a leak on the #3 cylinder so I pulled the head off and found that the steel crimp seal (which seals around the bore between the head & block) was pinched at about the 10 o'clock position.
It was crimped where no piston or valve could possibly reach it. I decided to check the driver-side bank and the steel crimp seal on the #6 cylinder was pinched in exactly the same position, but it wasn't leaking yet.
The head gaskets are identical (including the flaws) and they fit either side.
I'm can only assume that the gaskets are pinched or flawed during the manufacturing process but they were used anyway.
Mine blew out at 190,000 miles.