L31 Head Gasket + tune up part list
03-03-2013, 02:45 PM
#1
L31 Head Gasket + tune up part list 1997 k1500 Suburban, ~197k on the odometer, with what I suspect is a blown head gasket. Car has been sitting for the last 6 years or so, started every now and then. It starts, it runs, but a little rough. Had some overheating issues before it started sitting. I did a compression test a few years ago, cylinder 2 had lower compression than the rest by about 40-50 PSI I think.
So I'm going to tear into it and change the head gasket. I've never messed with an SBC before, but have some experience with 3800 V6s and LS1s. I don't know what's a common wear item on these engines, but I do remember something about the fuel system being fixed at some point. Car was misfiring and drinking gas, probably 10 years ago or so, and brought it to a shop and they fixed something. I think the fuel spider was leaking so it was replaced?
What I've figured so far:
Head gasket kit
Head bolts
Lifters
Fuel pressure regulator
Fuel filter
water pump
Plugs, wires, distributor cap are good. Anything else I should get? Valve springs/pushrods? And anything else I should look for once I tear it down? Maybe get the heads checked? Any comments/suggestions/part or brand suggestions, etc please speak up! I'm not looking for performance, just to get it running reliably to move things when I need more space than my C5 can offer.
Also if there are any good DIY sites for this, that'd be great. I have a copy of the GM service manual, but a lot of times it's more complicated than needed.
Thanks
So I'm going to tear into it and change the head gasket. I've never messed with an SBC before, but have some experience with 3800 V6s and LS1s. I don't know what's a common wear item on these engines, but I do remember something about the fuel system being fixed at some point. Car was misfiring and drinking gas, probably 10 years ago or so, and brought it to a shop and they fixed something. I think the fuel spider was leaking so it was replaced?
What I've figured so far:
Head gasket kit
Head bolts
Lifters
Fuel pressure regulator
Fuel filter
water pump
Plugs, wires, distributor cap are good. Anything else I should get? Valve springs/pushrods? And anything else I should look for once I tear it down? Maybe get the heads checked? Any comments/suggestions/part or brand suggestions, etc please speak up! I'm not looking for performance, just to get it running reliably to move things when I need more space than my C5 can offer.
Also if there are any good DIY sites for this, that'd be great. I have a copy of the GM service manual, but a lot of times it's more complicated than needed.
Thanks
