Head swap help

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Feb 18, 2008 | 03:58 PM

ALPHA Q

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From: Arlington, TX

Head swap help

How much does it cost to swap a set of heads (patriot 5.3) with dual springs?
What kind of head gasket should I use?
How difficult is it if I do it myself?

I'm planning to use the same rockers from the stock heads.

Feb 18, 2008 | 04:42 PM

tatasta

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Too many factors to give a quick answer. Price of heads + $200-$300 for gaskets, tools you may need if you don't already have 'em, oil, coolant etc. GM MLS head gaskets are good. Cometic are good but pricey but you can get different thickness for compression needs. Milling heads? I don't know your mechanical skill but I did mine + cam, oil pump, timing chain and u/d pulley. If it's your ride to work don't expect to tear it down Friday night and drive it to work Sunday. After you do one or two you can pull it off.

My advice is to do what I did. Read, read, read!!!! Everything you need to know is on this board. Check out LS1howto.com. Read their writeup. Study study. When you finally do it you will understand it all and what you will need. It's actually a fun job. LS1s are great to work on. Just don't rush yourself. The price for a shop to do it is ridiculous.

Good luck!

Feb 18, 2008 | 10:27 PM

SweeTbone

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I used GM MLS gaskets on mine. If you can pretty much turn a wrench, you can do a head swap. But as stated, plan a LOT of time. This better be a winter project or your car NOT be a daily driver. Also an extra set of hands will come in handy. Thankfully I've never had to do an install by myself cause I had friends to help me out. Trying to get my drivers side head onto the studs while keeping the header and wire harness out of the was a total BEYATCH. Extra set of hands came in handy.

Feb 19, 2008 | 02:16 PM

ALPHA Q

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I heard that MLS and Cosmetic Gaskets will leak on 98 models, It was recommended to use Graphite Gaskets. I already have the 5.3 heads they are unmilled so should I use stock gasket size?

I noticed that the passenger side floor is very wet, could it be a line that got unplugged?

also it's my daily driver so I better start looking for another car.

Feb 19, 2008 | 04:11 PM

ALPHA Q

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Well I checked the coolant lines behind the engine and one of them was unplugged, I hope that's all it is. I'll keep checking it out to see if it's still leaking coolant.

Feb 21, 2008 | 11:26 AM

crainholio

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Quote:

Originally Posted by ALPHA Q

I noticed that the passenger side floor is very wet, could it be a line that got unplugged?

Before you throw a set of heads on it to fix the wet passenger floor, consider your heater core. They're located on the firewall on the pass side, and when they fail you get a wet floorboard.

Also the coolant hoses can fail and spray/stream coolant inside the firewall, causing a wet floorboard.

I'd rule out the hoses first, visually inspect for signs of coolant where the hoses clamp onto the heater core nipples. If they're not the culprit, high probability that your heater core is broken.

Feb 21, 2008 | 11:42 AM

Ericbigmac83

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heads really arent hard to do. its just taking your time and turning wrenches. you'll save a ton doing it yourself

its not just your ttops leaking is it?