Head Gasket Replacement

[DGrant09]

Hi
We received a 92 Rodeo with a blown head gasket (6cyl, 3.2?). The engine was a crate engine and now has 30k on it.
We are curious as to what else we should consider replacing when we do the head gasket? I searched older threads and did not see any good recommendations. Maybe there is nothing else, which would be nice! However, I was wondering about the timing belt/chain, tensioner, accessory belt(s), water pump, thermostat etc...
We'll have the head(s) inspected by a local machine shop. I may just do one side?? Still in the idea mode.. Suggestions??
Maybe install my fresh 390 from my 72??
Thanks
Dan

[Ramblin Fever]

The engine in that truck, if they replaced it with the original engine displacement, should be a 3.1L GM V6 engine.

The 3.2L V6 Isuzu engine's came out in '93.

[DGrant09]

Thanks, have yet to crack the book on it..
Do you have any recommendations on other items I should replace while it is apart?? Or any areas I need to pay special attention to while working on it to avoid problems??
Thanks again
Dan

[Cat Fuzz]

You'd better get a repair manual. You will need a reliable torque wrench. Perhaps two, one for inch/pounds, one for foot/pounds. You also must not mix up the push rods. You'll want to make sure you use the GOOD intake gasket set. There is a cheapy plastic set and a better metal set that will last longer. There is a specific torque procedure for the head bolts that MUST be followed. There is also a specific torque procedure for the intake that is critical.

The head bolts are use a torque angle method. You torque them, in a certain sequence, to a torque value and then turn each, in sequence, an additional 90 degrees. You must CLEAN the threads thoroughly and lubricate the threads with engine oil to get an accurate torque reading.

[DGrant09]

We have an actual Isuzu manual for the truck and the tools (torque wrenches, etc..). Thanks for the heads up on the gasket sets. The set I saw at NAPA I believe was from Felpro which worked good on my 390 we rebuilt earlier this year. Any word on these for these trucks??
When I was scanning for parts I also saw the head bolts listed, are these designed as a one time use? Our Beetle has a lot of these. Once used or torqued, they want you to replace them due to stretching.
I guess what I am concerned with would be items like my exhaust manifold bolts on our 390 are prone to snapping if not carefully removed, even then they'll snap (rust, heat, and just age I guess). Anything on these Rodeos that might be similar?
We'll venture into this with the general precautions..
Any other suggestions are certainly appreciated!
Thanks Cat Fuzz -

[Cat Fuzz]

If any of the bolts are stretched, it will be obvious when placed beside a straight edge. Any threads that do not touch the straight edge indicate a stretched bolt. The head bolts are not a torque-to-yield design but they still need to be checked for stretching. Torque-to-yield bolts DO need to be replaced after being removed.

I think the cheapo intake gaskets don't apply to that year motor. They came in later 90's GM engines. They were plastic and only had about a millimeter of sealant around the water jackets. My sisters '03 Grand Am V-6 intake gaskets started leaking at 54K miles. I replaced them with a much improved Fel-Pro set.

[DGrant09]

I found the problem last night thanks to our NAPA machinist. Took the heads in for him to go over and he suggested I check the block casting # before we spent the $$ on the heads. #10065459 casting is prone to 1/2 moon cracks near the top of the cylinders. We found one cylinder cracked. Nice to have a informed shop, saved some $$$ there!!
We're now looking for an engine! There is one on car-part.com up here, 1200.00, 105K - Ouch!
Did any other GM use these engines??
Thanks
Dan