5.3 head gasket (possible head swap) ?'s

[brans87]

Buddy called me today asking if I was interested in looking at his 03 chevy 1500 cause he blew head gasket and oil is milky. He also wants oil pan gasket replaced.

I know about the TSB for cracked cylinder heads. Curious if this would be side job worth taking on in the drive way. Only thing that makes me think about it is torquing heads in the truck would be little harder and have the steps you must do.

Thoughts? Price you would quote him?

 

[Scribbles]

I didn't have a hand in it but fornwhat it's worth a buddy of mine that is semi capable at best bought a set of heads at O'Reilly's and swapped them in his apartment complex parking lot with zero issues and he had the same issue, so I say go for it.

 

[Vombrown]

Well I can tell you Head gasket kit and head bolts are going to run around 300 bucks for everything. If it's just the head gasket and not the head I would think you could do it in an afternoon, maybe 5 hour total? So what is your time worth? I'm building a 5.3l now, not the most complicated thing in the world. Pretty much plug and play.

 

[diesel4me]

I'd be leery of any engine that was run with coolant in the oil for any length of time--most of them need bearings shortly after the head gaskets or cracked heads are replaced,coolant eats the babbit metal in the bearings..

Many shops around here refuse to do head gaskets or heads due to this,they can buy a good used engine cheaper at a salvage yard with less miles,and swap it in quicker and easier than doing heads with the engine in the chassis..

I'd plan on doing a more thorough rebuild on an engine that had coolant in the crankcase...rings & bearings at the least..