Friends - I have a problem that I'd like to request advice from you mechanic
types. It's not Rover related, so rather then plug up the LR list please
respond to me off list.
I have a '91 Pontiac 3.1L v6 with a blown head gasket (steam in exhaust,
bubbles in radiator). It overheated without the idiot light going on. No
water in the oil. It has 180K miles but has been very well maintained 3K
oil changes, etc. and uses no oil between changes. I don't know the
compression yet, but plan to check the "easy" side understanding that two
cyl's might be low if the blown gasket is between them. I would like to get
about 20K more miles out of it before I get rid of it.
Now the question(s): I've done a head on a Series Rover, but this is a V6
transverse mounted '91 fuel injected. Is it that much harder for the 3.1L
V6? I have a little better than average home tools, compressor, air tools,
etc. and fairly competent home mechanic, though only high school auto shop
trained. What's the "book time" for this? (I'd probably double the book
time for myself) Any shortcuts?
Question 2: With that many miles - should I just replace the gaskets and
check for warpage or defects in the head, or do a valve job and regain the
top pressure forcing more strain on tired 180K rings? I don't want to sink
a bunch of $ into a car that's worth maybe $2K.
Q3: Any special tools needed? (I have torque wrench) Any mechanic in the
Phoenix AZ area want to do this for some $ (Most shops don't want to do it
without rebuilding the whole engine and the car's just not worth it.) I
understand there'd be no warranty or anything like that, but shops don't
want to risk it, and I can't blame them.
Thanks for any responses - off list.
Dave...
debrown@srpnet.com
Dave Brown - Gilbert, Arizona - '87 Range Rover "Chimera"
4.6L engine, Haltech EFI, Hedman Headers, Piper cam, K&N, Flowmaster, OME HD
suspension, rear Lock Right, 33" tires, etc... etc...
mailto:debrown@srpnet.com <mailto:debrown@srpnet.com> AM/FM
<http://srpnet.com/>
Messages flagged "high importance" are forwarded to my pager.
It's never over in a Rover!
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