to fix or not to fix

[blkmonday]

i have a 99 taurus wagon with 110k on it. i blew a head gasket im trying to decide if its worth fixing or not. i would be doing the work myself in my spare time. im a decent mechanic but ive never done a head gasket job on a newer car before. (im used to old camaros or mustangs). the car has brand new tires, water pump and the body and interior are in really good shape. but i dont think its worth my time to fix...am i nuts? should i just fix it? is it a really easy head gasket job?...if i dont fix it...anyone need parts? ill be over in the parts for sale section after i make up my mind. thanks for your input

[RickMN]

It's a tedious job, but not really that difficult. If you haven't done one lately, the only thing you'll have to learn is how to use the newer "Torque-to-yield" head bolts. It's not just a torque wrench deal anymore. You tighten with a torque wrench to a certain point and then you have to turn the bolt a certain number of degrees. The tool to guide you in that is fairly inexpensive. If the head isn't warped, I'd say it's worth it. Pull the head and check for warping, then make up your mind.

[Huney1]

DIY in your spare time, heck yes, fix it 'cause if you sell it the way it is you'll 'prolly get $500. for it. Sounds like it's in good condition otherwise and there's a whole lot of miles left in it. Like the man said, take the heads to a shop where they check for cracks and have them trued up and I'd have them do a valve job and fix that puppy and rock on.

Drop the tranny pan and change the fluid and clean or replace the filter and flush the torque converter. Get your self a pair of cheap sun glasses and let 'er dig.

[blkmonday]

y'all have talked me into. looking at it this afternoon it doesnt seem all that bad. seems like theres room to work on it unlike my chevy astro van...where a shoehorn was my main tool. i havent decide weather to keep it after i fix it or keep using it. i just put a deposit on a 96 caddy so i might fix it and try to make a buck on it for some gas money..thanks for your advice...im going online to price out the parts now

[Huney1]

Chevy Venture van - BARF! I had one and that's the last GM product I'll EVER own. Nuff said . . .
IMO dirty words not to be repeated in front of those with a weak stomach or the faint of heart.

Let us know how the Caddy works out.
Think it was 1974 Cadillac made the Calais and I made big money that year and I got a brand new one two door YELLOW with GOLD cloth brocaid upholstery. Man, that was one pretty car and a nice ride to. Go get yo'self some cheap sun glases . . . :-) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cadillac_Calais
Awww yeah Baby! http://www.hubcapcafe.com/ocs/pages01/cady6701.htm

[blkmonday]

hey dont pick on the astro....150k overloaded and packed to the hills every weekend with my band equipment touring the northeast has never let me down! and plows through snowstorms like its a summer day! not the coolest looking thing....and the a/c is dead (bad compressor) but shes a workhorse.
hey i started the head job...both heads are pulled today and going to the machine shop to be tanked/cleaned and checked for warpage and cracks. question (ill start a new thread) are the head bolts re-useable?...oh yea and i get the caddy this weekend and im very excited...my last caddy was a 69 eldorado convertible...yellow with black top with a 500 cubic incher in there...car looked like a pittsburgh steeler linebacker and ran like hell! miss that old car...luckilly i still got my 66 olds ragtop i drove in high school.