Blown Head Gasket! Now What?

[95 blazerFD]

Ok I have a blown head gasket in my 95 blazer it was the vortec 4.3l. Now I know that the magnitude of the problem could vary. However lets say that the problem is on an average scale what would be in my best interest. Option one is to fix the headgasket and what ever else that was damaged. Option two is buy a remanufactured engine from a well known machine shop for $1,100 with a one year warrenty. (all labor will be done by myself and father) What do ya'll think would be better or cheaper. thanks.

[Gabe25]

Just was wondering. What are the symptoms you are experiencing with your motor?

[95 blazerFD]

Originally Posted by Gabe25

Just was wondering. What are the symptoms you are experiencing with your motor?

Well right now it is not even driveable but when it first happened it would run like crap (skipping, spuddering, and what not) which i later found out that 4 out of 6 plug were shoot but then it will also run hot (sorry guys but i did drive it hot for about a mile or two). then a local shop did a compresion test on it, and my blazer flunked that test.

[SultanGris]

Originally Posted by 95 blazerFD

Well right now it is not even driveable but when it first happened it would run like crap (skipping, spuddering, and what not) which i later found out that 4 out of 6 plug were shoot but then it will also run hot (sorry guys but i did drive it hot for about a mile or two). then a local shop did a compresion test on it, and my blazer flunked that test.

I have a 90 ford ranger with a 4.0, i had my intake manifold gasket go out, and since i had the motor half tore apart, and it had 196000 miles i decided to replace the head gasket so i wouldnt have to do it later. It lasted a year and the head gasket blew. I had lots of problems with the intake manifold, was loosing coolant fast, and for some stupid reason the 4.0 sucks water off the top of the radiator, and i probably drove it to long and cracked or warped my block, cause i put new heads on it 4 times, and it lasted a shorter amount of time every time i did it, so in conclusion, trying to save a buck, i cost myself a fortune. Never worked on a chevy before, so not sure of any differences, but proceed at your own risk. if your block isnt shot, changing heads is relatively easy, but i know of no way to check the block without pulling the motor and takin it to a machine shop.

[OverBoardProject]

Chevy motors arent too bad, the blocks are tough.
But running it while hot might cause some future problems.

If you didn't overheat it I will have to say just replace the head gaskets, and get those heads machined.
If you did overheat it it's your judgment call, and good luck with it.

You can re-ring your motor with all new bearings for a very low price if the cylinder walls and bearing surfaces all look good.

[BlazerLT]

How much for the head gasket replacement?

[GirlBear]

Do it yourself!

[DonSor]

Sounds like the heads and the block needed machining or have you already done that?

[dmbrisket 51]

weve gotten a rash at the shop lately of 4.3l head gaskets, it is perfectly fine to take the heads off, inspect and re-install them, but i stronly suggest a magnaflux due to the fact the last 6 sets weve done the passengers side head in the back (number 6) had a crack in it between intake and exhaust valves

[dmcglasson]

Originally Posted by dmbrisket 51

weve gotten a rash at the shop lately of 4.3l head gaskets, it is perfectly fine to take the heads off, inspect and re-install them, but i stronly suggest a magnaflux due to the fact the last 6 sets weve done the passengers side head in the back (number 6) had a crack in it between intake and exhaust valves

Can you tell me what it typically costs to do an upper and lower head gasket repair on a 95 Blazer 4.3L V6, assuming everything else is in good shape, i.e. no valve or ring damage? Thanks

[BlazerLT]

Upper and lower head gasket?

[dmbrisket 51]

I rarely pay attention to the bills, i wrench, thats easy, dealing with the public is the hard part, we just did a 2.0 head gasket and tuneup, and the bill was 1200ish, the 4.3 has 2 banks so the head set will cost more, the machine shop will have more time into it, the shop has more time into it, so i would guess if a tuneup is needed 1500ish, i may be way off, best bet is to not insault the shop you want to work on your vehical, get it in for an initial check out, and see what they give you, please please please do not call and ask a quote over the phone, you will get a high estimate because without seeing the vehical we suspect the worst, and bid as though a tuneup is needed (full, plugs, wires, cap, roter, pcv, air filter) atleast one radiator hose and a few odds and ends because we don't know without seeing, thats why we charge for an inital check, pull it in, use our time to give it a good once over, some times a twice over, callup parts price, lookup labor time, make a bill and call the customer back...

[dmbrisket 51]

one more thing, if you need an upper and lower gasket, you need intake gaskets, very common on gm products, and that is a horse of a different color and is about 650 if nothing extra is needed, 12 or 1300 if you need a bubble, tuneup and some extras

[blazes9395]

whats the milage on the truck? If the milage is getting high, and your planning on keeping the truck, it might not be such a good idea to just pull the heads and do a head job. You might as well pull the engine, get it rebuilt by a reputable shop. This way you know you'll have something good to start with. Don't forget with rebuilt heads on an old bottem end, your putting more stress on the rings and in genenal all the bottom end parts, as the new heads will seal better, putting more pressure on the bottom. It may be cheaper now to just do the heads, but like SultanGris mentioned it could cost you more in the long run.

[dmcglasson]

Originally Posted by dmbrisket 51

I rarely pay attention to the bills, i wrench, thats easy, dealing with the public is the hard part, we just did a 2.0 head gasket and tuneup, and the bill was 1200ish, the 4.3 has 2 banks so the head set will cost more, the machine shop will have more time into it, the shop has more time into it, so i would guess if a tuneup is needed 1500ish, i may be way off, best bet is to not insault the shop you want to work on your vehical, get it in for an initial check out, and see what they give you, please please please do not call and ask a quote over the phone, you will get a high estimate because without seeing the vehical we suspect the worst, and bid as though a tuneup is needed (full, plugs, wires, cap, roter, pcv, air filter) atleast one radiator hose and a few odds and ends because we don't know without seeing, thats why we charge for an inital check, pull it in, use our time to give it a good once over, some times a twice over, callup parts price, lookup labor time, make a bill and call the customer back...

Thanks for the information. One last question; would you happen to know a good mechanic or shop here where I live in Las Vegas NV where I could take it? I am also looking at a new pick-up right now. I;ve become so attached to my Blazer but I think it would make a great second vehicle when I have to take my new truck in the shop for maintenance. Thanks for all your help!