PWagon

My 5.3 needs a rebuild soon (lower than normal compression). My leak down tester showed me leaks in/around the exhaust valves. I'm low on cash and can't afford an entire rebuild right now, so I may have to just settle on getting the heads rebuilt. Do you guys see any issues with this, or will rebuilding heads and NOT the bottom end create new problems?

bczee

iTrader: (12)

Depending on how the rings/walls are or the lower end bearing. .if those are in decent shape. .Yeah.. just a top end rebuilt would be ok.

BC

jmespe1

iTrader: (2)

It won't cause any problems. It's a common practice when a head gasket needs replaced.

With that said. It only cost me $160 for all new bearings, rings and having a machine shop hone the cylinders, polish the crank, and check the block deck for me. Once you apply heat to the heads its possible for them to need to be re-surfaced the next time they are off. (Which to properly rebuild the bottom end they will need to be). Just the cost of new head gaskets and head studs will almost wash the cost of rings and bearings.

Its more of a question of spend a little extra now or a lot extra later IMO.