Is it a good idea to replace head gaskets at approx 200,000 miles? Got plenum off to replace valve cover gaskets and wondering if I should just replace the head gaskets.

Only thing i'm really worried about is adjusting the rockers.

So, how hard is it to replace head gaskets on these 3.1 motors? I've replaced head gaskets on my LT1 before...

Thoughts?

 

I wouldn't change 'em unless you're sure there's a problem. Simplest way to test them is to do a compression check; you can even rent the gauge from places like Autozone.

You'll also have to change the head bolts because they've been known to stretch (and they'll strip the threads in the block); I know of two instances where that happened- to the bolts on a 2.8 I worked on (not my car though!), the bolts wouldn't thread back into the block so we replaced them. I knew to check them by hand because a lonnng time ago, a member on these forums re-used his head bolts on his 2.8 Fiero and stripped out the threads in the block!

The hardest part about changing them is scraping every little piece of 200,000 mile old gasket off so you can get a clean seal without the pieces falling into the engine.