DaveFromColorado Posted March 31, 2006 Report Posted March 31, 2006 Okay, so I've done a lil' math today, and I came up with some numbers to get my car into shape ... doing the headgaskets, timing chain, and regular tune-up stuff (plugs, wires, air filter, fuel filter, Serp. Belt & PCV valve) I came up with a number higher then what I paid for the car. Here's my parts list ... D&G Motors Machine Shop - (all labor items, no tax) Surface Front Head $30.00 Surface Rear Head $30.00 Clean Front Head $30.00 Clean Rear Head $30.00 Autozone part numbers and prices - (all taxable items) Head Bolt Set - $25.99 (ES74031) Head Gasket Set - $107.99 (HS9644PT-1) Exhaust Manifold Gasket (x2) - $11.98 (MS94052) Exhaust Crossover pipe (x2) - $13.98 (60754) Exhaust Manifold to pipe - $6.99 (60884) O2 Sensor - $19.99 (12014) Timing Cover Gasket Set - $16.99 (TCS45974) Timing set - $41.99 (73088) Oil Pan Gasket - $8.99 (OS30522R) Cam Sensor - $21.99 (SU134) Cam Sensor Magnet - $7.99 (SU151) Water Pump Gasket - $3.99 (35351) Spark Plugs (x6) - $11.94 (R45LTS6) Plug Wires - $30.99 (09700) Black RTV - $3.99 (99GA) Locktite - 15.00 (not sure) Lower Rad Hose - $18.99 (61610) Upper Rad Hose -$18.99 (61720) Antifreeze (x3) - $23.97 (PSA053) OIL (case) - $23.88 (havoline 10w30) OIL Filter (x2) - $5.98 (S3387A) PCV Valve - $2.19 (PCV125) Air Filter - $4.99 (SA3902) Fuel Filter - $5.99 (FF504) Serp. belt - $27.99 (4061025) Radiator - $30.00 (Junk Yard gaurenteed leak free) Parts $513.75 TAX $33.40 Labor $120.00 Total $667.15 so do ya think it's worth it for me to do all this work, or should I just replace the radiato and the cam sensor/magnet and hope for the best. --Dave. Quote
White93z34 Posted March 31, 2006 Report Posted March 31, 2006 well, what makes you think its got bad headgaskets in the first place? leaking? coolant in oil? overheating? and as far as spending more on the car then you paid for it, welecome to owning a w-body. i know i have alot more into my z then i paid for it (but thats my own dumb fault) if you want to save some money on headgaskets, just clean your mateing surfaces with some kero, and place them on a sheet of glass to check for any warpage. i know i woulden't spend the $120 on heads for a old regal. and a timing chain, i woulden't bother either. its an old car, and unless you intend on keeping it for a very long time, i'd not bother, and besides i've seen PLENTY of first gen 3800's go 300,000+ on the origional chain. Quote
DaveFromColorado Posted March 31, 2006 Author Report Posted March 31, 2006 well, I am plannin' on keepin' this car for a good long time - as long as it runs, I'll keep it, and I want it to run for a good long time. I'm thinkin' this is gonna be a fun Project - but I think I'll do a compression check before I make a final decision - I was just lookin' for opinions from peoples. --Dave.[br]Posted on: March 31, 2006, 04:33:30 PM_________________________________________________23 views, two (now three) reply's (one from me) and only one vote... humm... --Dave. Quote
DiscoStudd Posted April 1, 2006 Report Posted April 1, 2006 For that amount of $$$, you could locate a low-mileage boneyard L36 (the n/a Series II) to swap in there I'm sure you'd be able to run it using your 3800's PCM and harness (and if not, it'll work with a PCM and harness from a 94-95 Regal L27.) The L36 has a tad bit more potential for future mods as well... Quote
Rocketman Posted April 1, 2006 Report Posted April 1, 2006 When I did my 3100 it cost roughly $300 to fix the head gasket myself, most of which was the $90 to get the heads resurfaced and 3 exhaust manifold studs drilled out and helicoils put in for them Quote
SleeperRed90TGp Posted April 1, 2006 Report Posted April 1, 2006 I wouldn't. Fix the obvious first, rad and reuse your anti-freez and see how it works. Gives you a little breathing room to see how it runs and then make a decision. I would never pull a head unless it absoultly had to come off. jud Quote
DaveFromColorado Posted April 1, 2006 Author Report Posted April 1, 2006 I'm still leanin' towards doing the gaskets anyhow - I know the rad needs to be replaced, and I also know I need to do the cam pos. sensor/magnet, altho I don't know what's all involved with that, if I gotta pull the cover, I'm doin' the whole set anyhow - may as well while it's apart, right? as for the headgaskets, I'm gonna blast the engine with a degreaser tomorrow, and see if I can spot the leaks a little better - I degreased it once, but my valve covers are both leaking so baddly it's not even humourous anymore - I almost think the intake manifold is leaking too, external oil leak on the valley. I guess I'll just degrease and decide later, altho I still wanna have a project weekend over at DiscoStudd's house, I was lookin' forward to that! --Dave. Quote
DiscoStudd Posted April 1, 2006 Report Posted April 1, 2006 altho I still wanna have a project weekend over at DiscoStudd's house, I was lookin' forward to that! Def. keep me posted on that. I might be busy on Friday, though 'cause we're supposed to meet with our landlord to discuss purchasing the house from him. But Saturday thru Monday will be good for sure. Shit, even if you decide not to do the HG's, we could still have a mini-meet over at my place... Quote
GP1138 Posted April 1, 2006 Report Posted April 1, 2006 I would never pull a head unless it absoultly had to come off. jud Agreed. I wish we had never pulled the heads on my engine. Quote
DaveFromColorado Posted April 1, 2006 Author Report Posted April 1, 2006 well, either way, I think I'm gonna do the timing chain, and the IM gaskets, if nothing else - I'll be degreasing this afternoon for sure tho. --Dave. Quote
GIANT MOTH Posted April 6, 2006 Report Posted April 6, 2006 Hey if it's not too late I would go ahead and get those Fel-Pro performance head gaskets. It's totally worth it. Besides their made out of metal and some other crazy stuff. Well worth it. Quote
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