I've got an L67 that I bought from Ed Morad. He promised me it was running, but because he was unsure of the mileage, it doesn't have a warranty.
I pulled the oil pan. No nasty surprises. I tried looking up the underside into the cylinders and what little I could see looked OK. The engine was covered in road salt spray but the alt and starter tested fine. The valve covers leak.
I was thinking about pulling the heads and having a look. Should I leave well enough alone or open it up? I've replaced head gaskets before, but I also believe that if something is OK, don't mess with it.
Don't touch the heads. Replace the LIM gasket with the updated aluminum ones. Only use a scraper to remove gasket material. Try not to get any debris in the engine. With the oil pan off you should be able to look at the chain dampener and see how worn it is. If you need to replace the dampener or chain you might as well slide a hot cam in.
If i have an engine out, I always replace the head gaskets. Why? Because its far easier and cheaper now than it is if they ever leak. Intake gaskets are a must now anyway, so for a few dollars more do the heads and you have a sense of security.. Especially if you have no idea on milage. I keep my cars a long time so I replace all the gaskets while they are out.
Not a 3800, but i had a very well maintained 3400 that had a small head gasket leak at 120,000.. Couldnt do it myself because of work schedule and cost $2400 for a shop to do it.....
If you pull the heads is it so little more to put in rings and rod bearings. Either leave the heads on and do the intake or do it all. If you pull the heads you should grind the valves for sure. Larry
"If you pull the heads is it so little more to put in rings and rod bearings. Either leave the heads on and do the intake or do it all. " That's what I thought ! by the time you're done you'll have $200 just in BOLTS, (they ALL are non re usable !) then $100-150 in gaskets, $75-100 rings, $75 timing chain, any Head work, Price of the Bearings is the Cheapest Part ! There is a very good reason people say "don't rebuild it, replace it". Cost me a fortune . Granted, once you're done, you KNOW what's in there, but..... It is NOTHING like rebuilding a small block Chevy (price wise).
Remember, the only thing that seals the LIM is the rubber on the gaskets. Doesn't matter what holds the rubber in place, plastic or aluminum. Juat an urban mith. Larry
Remember, the only thing that seals the LIM is the rubber on the gaskets. Doesn't matter what holds the rubber in place, plastic or aluminum. Juat an urban mith. Larry
??????? After many hot/cold cycles the plastic that holds the rubber in place breaks and alows the rubber to shift and leak. This is compounded by a supercharger making boost. So it matters a lot!
