94 Cavalier - Replaced Head Gasket - Need Advice

[JailerDave]

I started to get coolant in my oil and overheating. After I found this happening, I didnt frive it more than 1 or 2 miles. I took the head off and found a broken head bolt and a blown gasket. Now my problem is that I need to get rid of the coolant and oil that mixed together. My question is that should I do more than drain the old oil and replace the oil filter? should I do it twice. Ive heard you have to get rid of all traces of the coolant that leaked in there. Thanks in adavnce

[public]

Once should be fine. Twice would not hurt. While you have the head off make sure to dry out the tops of the lifters with paper towels as much as possible. Since you had mixing while the engine was on I would remove the lifters and manually pump them to get them as dry as possible inside. These are roller lifters that are a little pricy to replace. Pump them back up in a bucket of oil before you reassemble ( this is what we used to do. ) It makes valve adjustment quicker when you are done. Good Luck.

[wafrederick]

Have the cylinder head checked for warpness by a machine shop.If it warped, get the cylinder head gasket surface milled and it is worth the money that way.The new headgasket will not seal up very good with a warped head and there are no valve adjustments