Used Parts Repair Experiment

new 02/10/2008

Editors note: There has been long running debate on whether or not you must order new head gaskets when swapping heads, as well as replacing the TTY fasteners. See the guy with the arrows in his back? That's Eric. He's going to take one for the team.
U.L.
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Guess I'll just have to settle for Awesome. ;-P

$350.00 1997 SHO is idling in the driveway. 2 cold nights and 2 cold
weekend days - all standing outside in the driveway in a Chicago
January - and the "new" head and cams are on the camfailed car I just
bought 8 days ago. Oh yeah, I have a full time job too.
True to my word, I did the promised experiment. Now let's see how long
the damn thing runs.
Used head and cams. Used head gasket off a 99 with 49k. Used head
bolts. Not a single new part was used in the resurrection of this SHO
intentionally, just to see if it could be done.

I DID use new oil and antifreeze, it was just too hard to get them
back apart again....

--
Eric Lehmann
97 Ebony 42k Welded - With the Angels Now so that I don't have to be.
Long Live the Garage Queen !
97 Ebony 182k Resurrected, Welded, Experiment in progress
96 Medium Willow Green Metallic 103k Resurrected, Welded, Eaton M90 inside
96 Rosemist 72k 2006 Best Of SHO, Popular Vote, 2007 Best Gen 3, Welded
96 Medium Graphite 120k - Resurrected, Welded
97 Pacific Green - Parting this one Out
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Did you spray the gasket?

Personally I would think you have good odds with the used head bolts, and I
know more than a little about metals.

BJ
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Okay, not to start a stupid flame war, but I have used head bolts and gaskets several times. Wonder if that can be linked to my buned number 5? Wait, the first one was from the brand new crate engine. Nevermind...

Carter Fuji
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I knew you re-used gaskets and bolts, but that was kind of quiet so I
left it "under the table".
I purposely did my project above the table for all to see and judge,
just to see what happens so we can all learn from it. To be honest, as
long as I can still get new parts if I need them, I really don't care
what happens, just that knowledge is gathered one way or the other.

That said, our intake manifolds couldn't be much different on our
boosted cars, so I hope your # 5 cyl curse is yours alone - nothing
personal.

Eric Lehmann
97 Ebony 42k Welded - With the Angels Now so that I don't have to be.
Long Live the Garage Queen !
97 Ebony 182k Resurrected, Welded, Experiment in progress
96 Medium Willow Green Metallic 103k Resurrected, Welded, Eaton M90 inside
96 Rosemist 72k 2006 Best Of SHO, Popular Vote, 2007 Best Gen 3, Welded
96 Medium Graphite 120k - Resurrected, Welded
97 Pacific Green - Parting this one Out
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Good for you Eric! I applaud you for going where no tech has gone
before, or at least not very often. I suspect it will run just fine,
but time will tell.

Keep us informed.

Don
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For the record, this last time with the crate-short-block I used new gaskets and bolts. I think it will be the last time for the head though since I could feel the cam tower threads giving a little bit as I torqued them down.

Carter Fuji
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A couple tidbits. Eyebrows on the piston, wrecked valves.

NEVER seen THIS before..... (TIC)

Went for a drive tonight. Everything seems to be working well. MAYBE a
slight coil hesitation. Should be ok, however, I left PLENTY of blood
under the hood.

Eric Lehmann
97 Ebony 42k Welded - With the Angels Now so that I don't have to be.
Long Live the Garage Queen !
97 Ebony 182k Resurrected, Welded, Experiment in progress
96 Medium Willow Green Metallic 103k Resurrected, Welded, Eaton M90 inside
96 Rosemist 72k 2006 Best Of SHO, Popular Vote, 2007 Best Gen 3, Welded
96 Medium Graphite 120k - Resurrected, Welded
97 Pacific Green - Parting this one Out
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See Also:

Head Bolts and TTY - A Discussion

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