i think that i blew my head gasket today, been chasin a cooling problem for a while now, think it's finally gone wish i had the money to fix it now. guess the cananda race is a no go but oh well. maybe i will get to go next season...(nmca racing season)

 

Can you smell the antifreeze coming from the exhaust? I remember when my SC blew the pass head gasket, I totally screw my motor up. I cracket both heads after driving 14 miles with no water "damn idiot lights" never warned me anything was wrong until a sudden sluggnesh and as I was pulling over the smoke started pouring from under the hood. I figured out what caused it pretty fast, my stupid lower radiator hose blew off, But if it wasnt for that happening 1 1/2 years ago I wouldnt have done all the things that I did to my car. I rebuilt the motor, added gfx and a 3 piece spoiler with the 3rd brake light,redid the whole int, getting some real good 4th gen seats from Ked85 "thanks Karl" changed my int color from red to black, added overhead console,rear hatch shade, and power hatch, recharged my ac,got and polished 86 Z28 rims, polished my plenum"then machined the 85 camaro emblem in the spot of the 2.8 multi emblem on the plenum, the pic is my adavatar". Then polished the alt, egr tube,throttle body and gun, and polished and had my valve covers chromed. I hope the best for you, I know how bad it can be.

 

Time to find the 3.4 and have some fun again.
I feel for ya.
Been there.
That's why I'm installing a 3.4 into my S-10 Blazer.
Head gasket.
I swapped on gaskets, was wasted effort.
Bought right solution.
Still under $2K for 3.4 engine, tranny rebuilt, better used rear axle, gaskets, electric fuel pump & heater core!
Gotta get it running soon.
Fuel pump plumbing is the next challenge.

 

screw the v-6 idea, i am going 305 baby! got one sitting in the garage that just needs to be cared for. see, that's the thing, i have 3 small block chevy's already here at the house, 305, 350, and 355. figure the 305 will be best cause of better gas mileage and most power for my buck. sorry v6 buddies, ya'll have been great, but it's time to move on. getting the 305 out of it's dark little hole in the garage tomorrow, gonna stick it on the engine stand to start disassembly process. thanks for all the help with this little monster of a nightmarish 2.8, i just don't think it's wise to blow 2000 on a v-6 when i can get all of my stuff done for the same, and then blow the v-6 guys away. car should run 13.90's when all said and done

 

I'm spending $2K for a rust free vehicle that again will last me 211,500 miles.
And cost me Zero after a big time investment.
I have other cars for going faster.
I need cheap relaible fast towable work vehicle.
That's why I'm spending my effort.
Enjoy yours!

 

dad says "put the 2.8 back together!" so, i guess i am STILL running the v-6. well, lets get these heads redone, talk to dad about port and polish....hmmm, we will make this v6 go!

 

It could be just the intake gasket.
Are you getting coolant in the oil? Are you blowing steam out of the exhaust? Is coolant pushing out of the radiator? What exactly is it doing?
Any way If you do have to replace a head gasket its not that bad of a job , and depending on what the old gasket looks like its not that costly.
If the gasket is eaten away from corrosion than chances are the head doesnt have to be shaved.
If it blew from overheating and warpage you may have to shave the head but not always.

 

water is being pushed back in to the radiator. ran a compression test and the #2 and #6 cylinders had only 105 psi, everything else was at 145 more. the head is warped so we are going to get both heads shaved, 3 angle valve job, new springs and retainers. should boost compression to 9.1:1. with crower cam and 1.6:1 rockers, this thing should rock! need new torque converter too. back to plan A

 

Why go half way.

Pull the block and rebuild your engine bay correct.

I still suggest phone around for a 3.4.
You may score very well, finding a used running long block, priced in your favor.
What ever you do with the addition of the "new" parts will swap right over to the 3.4.

It's a win-win situation.

Some have paid as little as only $500 for a used running 3.4.
I am the exception, as I seek to pay (one 44K@$800, one 50K@$900) more for the lowest milage complete long block I can, as that effort pays off in my long term ownership/favor.

Faster speed of the final finished product/project is only an additional plus.
Yet,
my 85 3.4 Firebird runs & pulls like a Freight Train

 

the motor only has 90k on it, so everything else should be fine, besides, i don't have the money to do an engine swap although it would be nice. i just want to get my car back on the road, it's my only car

 

cheapest will be to swap the head gasket swap. then the 2.8-2.8/3.1 swap. but if you go that route, shop around for the 3.4 also.

I got my 3.4 for $210. will it run? Wife & kid @ outlaws for next 2-3 weeks, gives me some GARAGE TIME :lala: :lala:
hopefully will have status soon, will either be a whole lotta cussing or cheers.

 

Wife & kid @ outlaws for next 2-3 weeks
$210 is a steal.
Nice free engine.
:hail: