heads and head gasket questions

[Warped]

1) What does it cost for a set of rebuilt stock heads?
2) Does any one in N. Tejas have any available?
3) O'Reilly shows 3 different head gasket kits including FelPro. Are any of these even worth considering on a mostly stock GN?
4) If not, what are the best options for a stocker? Not looking to go to Cometics or RJC.
5) Headbolt suggestions, tips?

The root of all these questions is the GN has started consuming water, fortunately not in the oil. And it's not an external leak so I'm assuming it's a head gasket. As long as I'm putting those in I might was well freshen the 100K mile heads. It's my daily driver work car so I need to do that in a swap so it's not down for more than a weekend.

Thanks.

 

[Eticket]

If you're in Ft worth.. you can just take your heads to Mike Smith's Machine Shop to get a valve job and new valve springs. Just use LT1's if you're using a stock type cam.

Should be a couple hundred i would think (although I've never needed a valve job done).

Buy ARP replacement bolts - not studs. and use thread sealer or RTV.

Use Felpro 1000's - just fine.

Both can be bought from a vendor or just Summit Racing.

 

[Warped]

Will do. Thank you!

 

[iamjeff]

im curious why you advise against arp studs? ive used the bolts and the studs, no complaints on either.

 

[2QUICK2B6]

whats wrong with cometics and rjc's ?

 

[Warped]

I'm sure the Cometics and RJCs would be a more bullet proof option and I would probably make that choice if I had the engine out of the car. I've read they require more meticulous prep. I figured stock type might be a little more forgiving for an in-car swap.

 

[86GN-862+2]

D info guys. May have to replace headgaskets in my car. It gets hot all the time. Runs 200-220 easy. I think non turbo gasket were used by shade tree mechanic. Already cleaned out radiator and installed a Mark VIII fan and 160 thermostast and same deal.

 

[Eticket]

Bolts are cheaper and less prone to leaking than studs. By all means, studs are better if you're planning on running in the 10's or faster.

Stock type gaskets are also better as they are a built in fuse for the engine. A cometic or RJC may not let go before a bearing does.

At his level, he doesn't need studs and probably needs a fuse. And all of this is cheaper than studs and cometics or studs and RJC gaskets.

Last, cometics do require very smooth finish to seal properly. He can get the heads done with the head work, but probably doesn't want to deck the block just for head gaskets.