3100 head gasket repair time!

[Addicted to eaton]

Hey guys,

I am going to buy a 1995 Grand Prix in a few hours with a 3100 in it. The car has 114k miles and was junked due to “over heating†If the motor does not knock I would think it would be safe to assume. That with new gaskets it would be ok. Presuming the head is not cracked or warped.

 

So what do I need?

 

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,carcode,1255957,parttype,5412

 

If I was a guessing man, I would say:

“1st Design; w/Ball & Pivot rocker arms; w/o Push rod guides on int. gskt.; Head bolts & exh. pipe packing not incl.; Head bolt replacement recommended; molded rubber valve cover gskts. incl.; Premium valve stem seals incl.â€

 

I also need head bolts. But is that it? The gasket kit, and head bolts?

 

This will be the first time of me busting into a motor. So all advice is welcome.

 

And bob, please if you have nothing nice to say. Don’t post in here.

 

[Crazy K]

wrong gasket set. (rather inferior, actually)

 

I checked all of them... the only one that comes with the quality intake set is the last one.

FEL-PRO Part # HST9957PT2 {PermaTorque Severe Dutyâ„¢; HEAD SETS (HS) are used for upper engine repair only, typically on a valve grind.}

2nd Design; w/Roller rocker arms; w/Push rod guides on int. gskt.; Head bolts & exh. pipe packing not incl.; Head bolt replacement recommended head gskts. incl.

1st Design; w/Ball & Pivot rocker arms; w/o Push rod guides on int. gskt.; Head bolts & exh. pipe packing not incl.; Head bolt replacement recommended head gskts. incl.

[tornado_735]

Anthony, while you have it torn apart, if the heads are trashed, you should consider doing a 3400 top swap. I have a thread floating around here somewhere with lots of great info in it.

 

Here it is:

http://www.w-body.com/forum/index.php?topic=84513.0

 

Good luck buddy.

[Addicted to eaton]

As i would not mind doing that. Its not pratical at the moment. im looking at 203$ for bolts, and gaskits if the motor does not knock. Im excited!

[93cutty]

Make sure the motor turns over. I bought a 97 lumina with the 3100 and the guy said oh yea it just needs a head gasket. I tore it down and discovered that the motor had actually spun a main bearing.

[Addicted to eaton]

it does turn over... but it knocks so im thinkin ill swap a 3100 motor.

[93cutty]

I got a 3100 with 59k miles at the boneyard for 150 bucks and now she purrs like a kitten.

[Addicted to eaton]

i have one with 92k miles. also have an l67 and trans with 112k

[Robb235]

If the motor has been overheated several times, I would go ahead and just replace it. The cylinder heads may be warped due to the overheating, in which case your time and money would be better spent on another engine, possibly a 3400 if you're looking for more power and an easy swap.

 

However, if you do go forward with the intake gasket job, get the gaskets from AutoZone. They're gonna carry two different ones; a cheap set and an expensive set. Go with the expensive set as it is metal and will last, unlike the cheaper set that will last 70k miles and then fail again.

[Addicted to eaton]

3400 is not going to be in the picture. 3100 till summer time. then the spare l67 will go in.

[Crazy K]

If the motor has been overheated several times, I would go ahead and just replace it. The cylinder heads may be warped due to the overheating, in which case your time and money would be better spent on another engine, possibly a 3400 if you're looking for more power and an easy swap.

 

However, if you do go forward with the intake gasket job, get the gaskets from AutoZone. They're gonna carry two different ones; a cheap set and an expensive set. Go with the expensive set as it is metal and will last, unlike the cheaper set that will last 70k miles and then fail again.

 

the first intake I did I used the cheaper fel-pro set... it failed in less than 22,000 miles. the car drove for at least 6 months after it blew, too.

 

 

so do you have another good motor, or do you need to just piece this one together?

[Robb235]

If the motor has been overheated several times, I would go ahead and just replace it. The cylinder heads may be warped due to the overheating, in which case your time and money would be better spent on another engine, possibly a 3400 if you're looking for more power and an easy swap.

 

However, if you do go forward with the intake gasket job, get the gaskets from AutoZone. They're gonna carry two different ones; a cheap set and an expensive set. Go with the expensive set as it is metal and will last, unlike the cheaper set that will last 70k miles and then fail again.

 

the first intake I did I used the cheaper fel-pro set... it failed in less than 22,000 miles. the car drove for at least 6 months after it blew, too.

 

 

so do you have another good motor, or do you need to just piece this one together?

 

Did you bleed the coolant system when you refilled it with antifreeze?

[Addicted to eaton]

If the motor has been overheated several times, I would go ahead and just replace it. The cylinder heads may be warped due to the overheating, in which case your time and money would be better spent on another engine, possibly a 3400 if you're looking for more power and an easy swap.

 

However, if you do go forward with the intake gasket job, get the gaskets from AutoZone. They're gonna carry two different ones; a cheap set and an expensive set. Go with the expensive set as it is metal and will last, unlike the cheaper set that will last 70k miles and then fail again.

 

the first intake I did I used the cheaper fel-pro set... it failed in less than 22,000 miles. the car drove for at least 6 months after it blew, too.

 

 

so do you have another good motor, or do you need to just piece this one together?

 

I will be takeing the 1995 back because he has not paid for it. and use that motor.

[Crazy K]

If the motor has been overheated several times, I would go ahead and just replace it. The cylinder heads may be warped due to the overheating, in which case your time and money would be better spent on another engine, possibly a 3400 if you're looking for more power and an easy swap.

 

However, if you do go forward with the intake gasket job, get the gaskets from AutoZone. They're gonna carry two different ones; a cheap set and an expensive set. Go with the expensive set as it is metal and will last, unlike the cheaper set that will last 70k miles and then fail again.

 

the first intake I did I used the cheaper fel-pro set... it failed in less than 22,000 miles. the car drove for at least 6 months after it blew, too.

 

 

so do you have another good motor, or do you need to just piece this one together?

 

Did you bleed the coolant system when you refilled it with antifreeze?

yeap! all was good.

[Wheels]

Sorry to bring up an old thread. I didn’t want to start a whole new topic on a LIM question since there’s a lot already. Speaking of 1995 Grand Prix…..I read throughout the forum that GM changed to roller rockers in mid 1995 or so on their 3100 engines. I also read on another forum that the faulty gasket problems are only on the 3100 “J†and 3400 “E†(large runner intake) engines, not the 3100 “M†(small runner intake) engine. My car is a 1995 and has the “M†engine that is stated on the VIN number. So does that mean my vehicle has the roller rockers OR an improved LIM gasket? I’m not having any problems with the car or any leaks (knock on wood). But the reason I ask is because my mileage is at 103k now and I’m wondering if I should just change my LIM gasket anyway.