Problems? Overheated top end rebuild
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 17
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Problems? Overheated top end rebuild Hey everyone,
I am looking to buy a 95 z28. Everything appears great... the car runs just fine, makes really good oil pressure, doesnt smoke at all. However, the seller said that they recently replaced the opti. When they put everything back together, they reversed the cooling from the radiator that goes to the heads. He drove the car for a minute and basically starved the top end, which warped the heads, creating a head gasket leak.
They then pulled the motor, got the heads machined (supposedly they are now in very good shape), but when they put it all back together they used all of the same parts, including the same head bolts. I would not have been able to tell this had he not told me about the issue.... as everything seemed great. Idled at 20 psi, and at WOT made 50 psi.
I like pretty much everything about the car, but this issue bothers me. Is this rebuild pretty much a big no-no? Does it sound like they were thorough enough in their rebuild to ease my conscience?
On another note... the interior has seen better days. The headliner is loose and the driver seat is ripped and sewn. However, has new tires, brakes, alternator, water pump, opti, and new seals. Basically, I would have bought the car on the spot had I not know about the issue with the rebuild.
I am looking to buy a 95 z28. Everything appears great... the car runs just fine, makes really good oil pressure, doesnt smoke at all. However, the seller said that they recently replaced the opti. When they put everything back together, they reversed the cooling from the radiator that goes to the heads. He drove the car for a minute and basically starved the top end, which warped the heads, creating a head gasket leak.
They then pulled the motor, got the heads machined (supposedly they are now in very good shape), but when they put it all back together they used all of the same parts, including the same head bolts. I would not have been able to tell this had he not told me about the issue.... as everything seemed great. Idled at 20 psi, and at WOT made 50 psi.
I like pretty much everything about the car, but this issue bothers me. Is this rebuild pretty much a big no-no? Does it sound like they were thorough enough in their rebuild to ease my conscience?
On another note... the interior has seen better days. The headliner is loose and the driver seat is ripped and sewn. However, has new tires, brakes, alternator, water pump, opti, and new seals. Basically, I would have bought the car on the spot had I not know about the issue with the rebuild.
I wouldn't be too worried about the bolts being reused. What I would want to see is how the car is at full operating temperature. See if it smells different (sweet like burning coolant) and if you can see smoke coming out of the exhaust. Take the oil cap off and see what you can see. If it's all gummed up with old oil then stay far away from it. If it looks clean then I would consider it. Just remember, buyer beware!
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 17
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We ran it up to a pretty decent operating temp and there was zero smoke coming out and I didnt notice any smells. Did not check the oil cap, will def do that on the return trip. Next time I suppose I should run it longer to make sure it reaches full operating temp. Thanks for the quick reply!
We ran it up to a pretty decent operating temp and there was zero smoke coming out and I didnt notice any smells. Did not check the oil cap, will def do that on the return trip. Next time I suppose I should run it longer to make sure it reaches full operating temp. Thanks for the quick reply!
I went with him to inspect the car... I stuck my head down into the engine bay to examine any smells and I do remember smelling a hint of something. I think it was just slight oil burning but I did not see any reminents of oil anywhere. Like Dave said, if the guy wouldn't have told us the history of the motor, I'm pretty sure he would have bought it on the spot. The car makes better oil pressure than my lt1 car. It seems a little sluggish but that my just be because mine is about 300 lbs lighter than this one because mine is stripped. The clutch chattered a little bit when engaged but he told me he has an autozone clutch in it. After reseraching clutches I found that Autozone no long sells Valeo balanced pressure plates so that may be the cause. I dunno... what do you guys think? I've never taken heads off of a car or experienced a head gasket leak so we need ya'lls advice. MERV where are you!?? ahaha
You said they used all of the same parts. Hopefully you don't mean that they reused the old head gaskets, right?!
If it runs fine it runs fine. But if it makes you feel more comfortable and if you have the time, money, and resources to pull it all apart and replace both head gaskets with new bolts, go for it.
If it runs fine it runs fine. But if it makes you feel more comfortable and if you have the time, money, and resources to pull it all apart and replace both head gaskets with new bolts, go for it.
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Haha, no they put all new gaskets on it after they got the heads back from the machine shop. They just put the stock rockers, springs, pushrods back in. I mean the thing runs great, not sure its worth $3500 but if he'll come down a little and you guys don't think the motor situation is a big deal then dwoodwo might become a first time F-body owner!
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I'm in Iraq..where are you..lol
You can re-use the LT1 Head Bolts, they aren't the TTY Bolts like the LS1's.
If everything was running good and it was staying around the 190-210 area then I don't see anything wrong with it.
I wouldn't pay no $3500 though..maybe $2700..$3k max.
You can re-use the LT1 Head Bolts, they aren't the TTY Bolts like the LS1's.
If everything was running good and it was staying around the 190-210 area then I don't see anything wrong with it.
I wouldn't pay no $3500 though..maybe $2700..$3k max.
. Thanks for the help tho guys. 