I think I killed her...

[trevcda]

I'm pretty sure I blew a head gasket. In the process the coolant got flushed into the engine block and and out the intake. Instead of the usual equipment trailer, I had a bike rack on the back. Having just come back from a long bicycle ride and not towing anything, I wasn't watching for anything to go wrong and ended up hydro-locking the engine. I had it towed back to my warehouse and let it sit for a couple days and tried turning it over, without starting it. It turned, so it's not seized. I let it sit a couple more days and drained the emulsion that used to be oil and coolant. I filled it with oil and it started right up. I let it run for a few moments and did this every day, to circulate the good oil through the engine, and changed out the oil two more times. So it runs and will move on it's own, but I'm not putting coolant in nor running it long enough to build up any appreciable heat.

So I took it to a mechanic who said that it would be around $2300 to change the head gasket(s) and a few other "might as well do, as long as we have it torn down" items. Oh and if the heads are cracked, as I'm told this engine is prone to, that's gonna be another $800. So if I spend around $3100 on a vehicle with 177K on it, it's still not worth that. Does that seem like a decent price for that work? I'm just gut checking with you guys. I always said that I could replace almost everything but the engine and transmission myself, and for the most part have. I'm getting a few other estimates and even checking with a few shade tree mechanics. Any input is appreciated!

 

[Tonyrodz]

For that price I'd get a used 5.7--replace the usual failure prone parts and call it a day. Doing that, you'd still probably be a few dollars ahead of the game. Just my .02. Unless if you plan on keeping it for a long time I'd price out a reman short block from a reputable business, such as Jasper.

 

[Rocket Man]

Year/ model? This is in the OBS section.

 

[trevcda]

Year/ model? This is in the OBS section.

Info in signature.

 

[Rocket Man]

Info in signature.

Gotcha. I was wondering because of Tonys comment.

 

[Pain@thepump]

If you were in CA, I'd mention that I know a guy. I've seem him teardown & rebuild a ford motor overnight. By the time I returned in the morning it was back in the car running and ready to ship.

 

[Tonyrodz]

Gotcha. I was wondering because of Tonys comment.

I screwed up. Thought he had an nbs

 

[iamdub]

If you were in CA, I'd mention that I know a guy. I've seem him teardown & rebuild a ford motor overnight. By the time I returned in the morning it was back in the car running and ready to ship.

 

[iamdub]

I screwed up. Thought he had an nbs

Unfortunately for him...


Although, I think LS-swapping an OBS is so mainstream now that one could perform such an upgrade for less than fixing or replacing a Vortec tree-fiddy.

 

[swathdiver]

Info in signature.

Doesn't show up on mobile devices. Price sounds reasonable.

 

[HiHoeSilver]

Doesn't show up on mobile devices. Price sounds reasonable.

Rotate your phone.

 

[swathdiver]

Rotate your phone.

Hey look at that! Learn something new everyday, thanks Nate!

 

[Tonyrodz]

Doesn't show up on mobile devices. Price sounds reasonable.

Turn it sideways.

 

[OR VietVet]

If you keep your rig and sink some money in it then I am sure you would be ok, especially since you already said you have done work on it yourself and you know the condition of what you have. If, when is running right, it meets your needs, performs how it is supposed to, is paid for and insurance is cheap enough, then you can come out money ahead. If you get another one or a newer one, like maybe an NBS or a NNBS, then you are buying an unknown and you may have to sink more money in it right after you buy it. You may be making payments on the newer one and your insurance will be higher. You might just want to get a newer rig and move on to that adventure. Your call of course. Good luck. Hopefully you also realize a full cooling system flush will be needed because of the oil and coolant mix.

 

[HiHoeSilver]

Hey look at that! Learn something new everyday, thanks Nate!

You got it. The bummer is how many sigs are non existent. Especially when somebody asks a question and there's no way to know what they're working on.

 

[wjburken]

You got it. The bummer is how many sigs are non existent. Especially when somebody asks a question and there's no way to know what they're working on.

Agree

 

[Squirrelsmith]

so to replace a head gasket is about the cost of a new engine

 

[HiHoeSilver]

so to replace a head gasket is about the cost of a new engine

What? Why?!

 

[Rocket Man]

You got it. The bummer is how many sigs are non existent. Especially when somebody asks a question and there's no way to know what they're working on.

That’s why I don’t even bother rotating my phone anymore, usually there’s nothing there except some quote or something. Most people just mention what vehicle their question relates to. I won’t be lazy anymore, rotating is back.

 

[swathdiver]

You got it. The bummer is how many sigs are non existent. Especially when somebody asks a question and there's no way to know what they're working on.

so to replace a head gasket is about the cost of a new engine

Yeah, like this ^^^^ guy!!! ^^^^^ @Squirrelsmith

Just funnin' ya Kevan! But knowing what you drive in the signature would help those of us with poor memories!