astjp2
Active Member
- Location
- Riverdale/Alaska
So no rolling coal up parleys? Asking for a friend
5.3 LS needs head gaskets POLL please
- Thread starter J-mobzz
- Start date
Well, I’m finally getting ready to tear into this thing this week. I’ve been pretty busy finishing up some stuff on the little TJ and getting the boat ready for summer just in time for it to be halfway over. I must admit I’m slightly intimidated, I have rebuilt, several V twin engines and single cylinder engines, but I’ve never torn into a V8 like this before. And just remembering how difficult it was to change exhaust manifold gaskets in that stupid van has me feeling pretty overwhelmed.
I think I’ll probably take the heads to Hunter machine shop unless somebody else has another recommendation.
And for the good brethren of this fine online community, keep me in your prayers. I’d love to have this thing up and going again soon.
I think I’ll probably take the heads to Hunter machine shop unless somebody else has another recommendation.
And for the good brethren of this fine online community, keep me in your prayers. I’d love to have this thing up and going again soon.
- Location
- Stinkwater
Post up how it goes with Hunter. I've had them do a couple small things and they were great, but last time they came up there were mixed reports.
- Location
- The Land Northward (Bountiful), Utah
I've used Gordon's in Bountiful with good results a few times.
He's fully staffed with guys over 65 so it's always fun to listen to the old heads knowledge everytime I go in there.
He's fully staffed with guys over 65 so it's always fun to listen to the old heads knowledge everytime I go in there.
glockman
I hate Jeep trucks
- Location
- Pleasant Grove
Dude, you totally have this. LS engines are seriously the simplest thing you can turn a wrench on these days. Even I can build one. Let me know if you get stuck and need any help.
OK, so new development on this van head gasket situation.
I was talking to a friend today and he’s like dude have you tried the head gasket repair? Shit you put in the radiator. And of course I haven’t because as far as I’m concerned that stuff just ruins your engine or at least that’s what I’ve been told my whole life, And his argument was look. The engine has 240,000 miles on it. It needs head gaskets but realistically it could probably use a new engine. Spend 30 bucks if it fixes the head gasket and gets you through summer, you you can go pull a wrecking yard engine rebuild it the way you want with the camshaft you want and everything else and have a fresh engine to put in this fall. And if it doesn’t work, you still have to do head gaskets.
I never overheated the van and it ran and still does run great. So I was like screw it and put it in. Much to my surprise not only is it running 10° cooler like it was prior, but according to my combustion leak tester it’s no longer leaking. so I think I’m going to take it up some mountain passes on a hot day and just see how it goes.
But I do like the idea of finding a good core engine and building a strong 6.0L to put in its place. Plus, I’ve been going down the LS rabbit hole on YouTube and I do like the idea of building an engine on a stand. It actually sounds fun.
So I guess that’s where I’m at tomorrow. I’ll go put it through some paces and see how it’s holding up. And if I think you can get me through a handful camping trips this summer I’m just going to run it with fingers crossed and my AAA account on standby and work towards getting a new engine built for the fall.
I was talking to a friend today and he’s like dude have you tried the head gasket repair? Shit you put in the radiator. And of course I haven’t because as far as I’m concerned that stuff just ruins your engine or at least that’s what I’ve been told my whole life, And his argument was look. The engine has 240,000 miles on it. It needs head gaskets but realistically it could probably use a new engine. Spend 30 bucks if it fixes the head gasket and gets you through summer, you you can go pull a wrecking yard engine rebuild it the way you want with the camshaft you want and everything else and have a fresh engine to put in this fall. And if it doesn’t work, you still have to do head gaskets.
I never overheated the van and it ran and still does run great. So I was like screw it and put it in. Much to my surprise not only is it running 10° cooler like it was prior, but according to my combustion leak tester it’s no longer leaking. so I think I’m going to take it up some mountain passes on a hot day and just see how it goes.
But I do like the idea of finding a good core engine and building a strong 6.0L to put in its place. Plus, I’ve been going down the LS rabbit hole on YouTube and I do like the idea of building an engine on a stand. It actually sounds fun.
So I guess that’s where I’m at tomorrow. I’ll go put it through some paces and see how it’s holding up. And if I think you can get me through a handful camping trips this summer I’m just going to run it with fingers crossed and my AAA account on standby and work towards getting a new engine built for the fall.
- Location
- Grand Junction, CO
I'd look for K-Seal, it had a proven reputation!
Also, I agree... might as well try it and see! Buy some time and plan out the engine upgrade so you're not feeling too pressured to repair it.
That’s what I used. Fingers crossed
ID Bronco
Registered User
- Location
- Idaho Falls, ID
update?
It’s been running great. Friday night I took it up camping near Monte Cristo and then over paddle boarding at Casey for a a few hours Saturday. And that all went well so before I went home, I decided to run it up Parleys with the air conditioner on full blast and pushed it really hard. And then Sunday took it paddle boarding.
I tested it again yesterday with the exhaust gas leak tester, and it still stays dark blue and doesn’t turn yellow like it did before the head gasket repair stuff.
I do plan on doing an engine, though I’ve been digging in doing my research figuring out what I want. And I like the idea of rebuilding my own. That summit racing engine @NYCEGUY01 posted seems like a killer deal. So I might just do that and then get the transmission built up with a new converter and pull out the front differential and have it rebuilt and geared while the engines out. It looks like it’s gonna end up being close to $12k to $14k to do with the upgrades this fall. so I’m still on the fence if I want to invest that money into this van or find me one of those small box trucks.
So little update on the ghetto head gasket repair. Maybe three weeks ago took the van on a camping trip up to twin Lakes Idaho just past Preston. it ran flawless so last week I decided to roll the dice and took it up to Breckenridge Colorado and ended up doing about 1200 miles total through the Colorado mountains over seven days exploring and camping. Again, it ran the whole week without a single hiccup, even on the steepest grades it never went above 210°
Still planning on doing an engine this fall but so far it’s been the fix I needed to keep her in service in the mean time.
Still planning on doing an engine this fall but so far it’s been the fix I needed to keep her in service in the mean time.
- Location
- Grand Junction, CO
That's awesome news, glad it worked for you.
NYCEGUY01
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Willard, UT
I used Kseal once successfully for a few years in a truck I didnt drive much and never actually did a real repair. I have no idea whats in that stuff but Ive seen several LS motors "fixed" by it.
Another successful camping trip in the books this summer. This time it was loaded down with 4 16 yo kids and gear for everyone. It was hot out and did get 3-5° warmer then the Colorado trip up some steep grades but didn’t loose any coolant.
I need to start hitting the wrecking yards and see if I can pull a 6.0 to build. I haven’t done much research but maybe one of you guys happens to know how difficult it would be to change my 4L60 to a 4l80. I’m already going to have to pay to have the van tuned with a camed 6.0 I don’t know if they can use the factory ECU or if I’m just going to have to do a complete swap of everything to run the bigger transmission
The renogy 60amp dc to dc charger took a dump this weekend though. So I had to live without the ac and save the batteries for the fridge. Luckily once we hit some altitude the heat wasn’t terrible.
I need to start hitting the wrecking yards and see if I can pull a 6.0 to build. I haven’t done much research but maybe one of you guys happens to know how difficult it would be to change my 4L60 to a 4l80. I’m already going to have to pay to have the van tuned with a camed 6.0 I don’t know if they can use the factory ECU or if I’m just going to have to do a complete swap of everything to run the bigger transmission
The renogy 60amp dc to dc charger took a dump this weekend though. So I had to live without the ac and save the batteries for the fridge. Luckily once we hit some altitude the heat wasn’t terrible.