I have a 1986 camaro with a 305 carb. i know i blew the head gasket and thats theres a chance the heads r cracked. im not sure if they are or not. my camaro is running a hits about 20mph so id like to know the heads are messed up if the car will run at all. its not making any noises. i really need some help and im hoping my heads are not messed up.
Andrew

 

What do you need help with? Engine teardown procedures to remove the heads? How to crack check the heads when they are off? Guess if you know there is a problem with a head gasket you will be able to see if the head or heads are damaged when you do the repair. Does this help at all?

 

Even if your head is cracked, you can get a reman for about $150. Your head should have a casting # of 601. Both LG4 and L69 305's shared the same heads. Both were 58cc's. Only difference is that the L69 has 1.84 intake/1.50 exhaust valves where LG4 has 1.76 intake/1.46 exhaust valves. I think one of my head gaskets took a **** too. Air pressure in the coolant overflow(bubbling). I may be buying a head(s) too.

 

Ive had mixed answers on if i have any cracked heads. Im trying to decide what to do with the car. She means alot to me and its my first car. Ive done most of the work myself. The only way i know to be sure that they arent cracked is to look at all the heads, but even if i take off the valve cover and rocker arms and see the top of the heads and there isnt anything bad, couldnt there be damage on the sides or below? Im close to getting rid of her. The water pump went out also when she got hot. so im looking at about 200 bucks for gaskets, water pump, oil change and a torgue wrench. Im weary to do it because i dont want to put the cash into it to find out my heads are cracked.

 

If engine has boiled dry,heads will overheat and can
crack between the valves-when this happens you will
get coolant on the spark plugs,shorting them out and
causing a miss on those cylinders(blown head gasket
will cause the same thing) If an iron head is cracked
they are junk(aluminum heads can be welded)
What happened to the water pump,did bearing fail or
seal leak? Also how badly was engine overheated-in
bad cases cylinders can be scored up

 

The water pump was working before it overheaded the last time. Im sure it was over 300 in temp. Im thinking my chances are slim that i didnt damage the heads.

 

How does it act when you drive it? There are signs for a cracked head. If it's not drivable take the head off and examine it.

 

It is driveable and can do about 20. isnt making any odd sounds. runs rough and hard to start. after its warmed up a bit it runs better and the idle remains more steady.

 

20 what?

 

miles per hour

 

You really have three choices.

1. Take off cylinder heads and inspect/replace.

2. Buy another good motor which would be less time consuming than ripping the top half of the motor apart.

3. Give up and sell.

I have done all three and the only one that worked in my favor was number 2. Number 1 could work but if you are going to do it in the engine bay it is a pain in the you know where. If you yank the motor to do number one, you might as well just throw another motor in. Don't get too fancy with the motor if this is your first car and try to find an exact replacement out of a firebird/camaro and you shouldnt have any problems.

POZ