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LS1 Head Gasket

Old 06-05-2008, 04:27 AM
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Default LS1 Head Gasket

If the head gasket in a 5.7L V8 LS1 is leaking a noticeable amount of oil into the coolant (but not vice versa), does it necessarily have to be able to cause overheating as well? Or is it possible for the head gasket to leak oil into the coolant and not overheat?

Any input will be appreciated.
Old 06-05-2008, 11:54 AM
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It is possible for a headgasket to leak and not overheat. Case in point we had a Cometic fail on our shop car at Ennis and it never got hot, but it would only run a 9.89 so we knew something was up then we noticed.
Old 06-06-2008, 07:42 PM
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Originally Posted by 1970judge
It is possible for a headgasket to leak and not overheat. Case in point we had a Cometic fail on our shop car at Ennis and it never got hot, but it would only run a 9.89 so we knew something was up then we noticed.
Only a 9.89 . I wished...

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Old 06-06-2008, 11:24 PM
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Does a head gasket leak usually mix coolant into the oil reservior as well as having oil getting into the coolant reservior? I see a chocolate milkshake color in the coolant, but not in the oil.

Is it at all possible for oil to get into the coolant from the intake manifold gasket?
Old 06-07-2008, 03:05 AM
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Is it difficult to intall a headgasket yourself? Is there a tutorial available?

I was quoted a laber time of 12 hours at a shop. Is this about right?
Old 06-07-2008, 06:32 AM
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Sorry I didn't answer your PM, I was trying to get a little better info for you before I replied.

I kept thinking if you were seeing oil seepage around the seam that you would have to be leaking coolant also, but it sounds like your problem is worse than I thought.

12 hours seems kind of high to me for just one head gasket. Essentially you are doing a head swap, you are removing the head, cleaning the surfaces, replacing the gasket, and then reinstalling. If you go to ls1howto.com and find the heads/cam swap info, you should be able to follow the parts you need to get the job done.

On another note....If you have the money laying around to pay 12 hours labor, buy a set of budget heads and change both gaskets and heads yourself. You'll have new head gaskets and more HP.

Good luck.

Last edited by PBMFIsMe; 06-07-2008 at 06:38 AM.


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