Replacing Head Gaskets etc on 2003 Chevy 4.3 V6

[Preacherman]

I started this evening on this project. So far I have been surprised how easy the bolts have been to break loose. I bet I can fix that problem for the next guy though. Anyone know of a good auto machine shop in the Norman/Chickasha area? I will need to have heads magna fluxed and then resurfaced.

 

[Preacherman]

One other item for opinion. I know you guys have those right? It is suggested to replace the head bolts so what do you guys think?

 

[OkieMoe]

I knew a guy south side okc that had a head shop in his back yard and did them on the side... will have to look for his number.. Good work. and didnt charge an arm and a leg.. only bad thing was it took him a bit longer to get them done.. If thats not too far.. I built one 4.3 years ago.. didnt replace bolts.. It was running fine at 269k when I sold it...

 

[PUMPKIN]

I would just reuse the head bolts. Unless that bad boy has serious cylinder pressure!

 

[T34r1tUp]

i do cylinder head work all the time, i own a shop on the south side okc. there is a guy around here that i take all my heads to. he is on S.w. 44th and agnew in the city. he will usually do them for 150-200 a pair as long as they are not busted that includes a valve job tho not just resurface.

they say your not supposed to re-use head bolts but i do most of the time unless the torque specs are real high and if i do have to buy some i would go with arp studs. i would just clean up all your bolts and make sure they dont look like this.

[Broken External Image]

good to go!

 

[ultimase]

It might be different with domestics, but are the bolts TTY? If the bolts aren't too expensive it might not be worth the worry.

 

[T34r1tUp]

TTY. torque to yield

I have installed many torque to yield bolts without any problems. of course you have to clean them and inspect them to make sure they dont look like the picture i just posted above.

just about the only engines i dont re-use bolts on are deisels. but they have alot higher cylinder pressures than a chevy. i go for head studs every time on performance or diesel.

 

[4play]

I like to use Folks Auto Machine in Norman (405) 329-2287, 541 12th Ave NE, Norman, OK 73071 (12th, or Sooner rd and Main street) If you dont want to go into Norman, you can try McPherson Machine Shop, 5013 SE 44th St , Newcastle, OK 73065 (405) 321-6292 ‎ (just east of May on Hwy 9 on south side of 9)

 

[ZombieHunter]

Interested in in this but for a 98 suburban with 5.7 V8

 

[AdvantageR1]

I will second Folks. I have never used them, but several of my friends that race will only use them.