Hi I am new to mud and am seeking guidance when replacing the head gasket on a 2002 LC. I am also replacing damaged cylinder head as well and while the rig is torn down I didn't want to miss the opportunity to replace other components. I have 200k on the clock and all scheduled maintenance is up to date. Any advice on additional things that need to be considered is greatly appreciated. Thank you.
02 Head Gasket replacement
- Thread starter hanston
- Start date
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2001LC
SILVER Star
Welcome.
Rebuild starter.
What happen to head?
Rebuild starter.
What happen to head?
Having done the head gaskets on my 100 a few months ago, I would really consider finding another way to get the valve cover bolts fixed. There would seem to be many other ways. Maybe I am wrong, but that seems like taking a chainsaw to a fencing match. Yes it will work, but not exactly the best way to show up. Regardless, if you are taking the head off, I would do all the tb/wp service unless it was recently done. I would do a valve job, but I wonder about only doing one head. I know my cylinder/pistons looked almost brand new with 190k when I did mine, but it will give you some idea of how the engine is doing at 200k.
- Thread starter
- #5
Thanks for reply. They are actually doing both heads. PO did wp/tb. I will check on valve job. Thanks again for suggestion.
2001LC
SILVER Star
@jclarke450 & @hanston I've some ? for you both.
jclarke, Why did you do head gasket?
Did either of you happen to check valve gap during disassemble? If so what did you see??
2001LC, I am interested in more details on your suggestion. Are you saying to completely rebuild the starter gears or do mean that just the starter contacts should be changed?
2001LC
SILVER Star
I've not done mine yet, but normally just contact. Procedure for replacing 100 series(98 and up) starter contacts
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- Thread starter
- #9
I am having the dealer do all the work...mechanically challenged.
I have mechanic doing the work. Sorry no pics.
I know the feeling of broken valve cover bolts. Did you try to drill out or did your mechanic? Why did you replace both head gaskets? This must have been a costly repair.
- Thread starter
- #12
Mechanic tried to drill out. Invoice was over $6k.
Not sure if I would stick with that mechanic. I could source an entire low mileage engine and have it swapped for less than $6k using alldata's shop rate of 20 hours.
- Thread starter
- #14
Long story...entire invoice covered by the shop.
Not sure if I would stick with that mechanic. I could source an entire low mileage engine and have it swapped for less than $6k using alldata's shop rate of 20 hours.
I had to drill two of mine out on the drivers side. Took me much longer than 1 hr as I was extremely careful not to drill into the aluminum head. I had to cut the drill bit short as I could to get it in there. I also made a template from a piece of flat steel so my drill would not walk into the softer aluminum. Ran a tap through at the end.
@hanston glad your rig is back together. Good for another couple hundred thousand now
- Thread starter
- #17
Yes, I was glad to get it back all in one piece. Yesterday, I was just thinking what else I might have replaced while it was torn down. When I had my 80 I remember having to replace the phh which was an ordeal. Not sure if the same hose is that difficult on the 100.
- Thread starter
- #18
Yes, I plan to get it to 300k and then pass it to my son.
I'm not really following you here. You would remove the head from the truck to drill the broken bolt off and put it back in 1hr shop time?
There are the typical heater hoses that could possibly fail and of course the T 's. Six hoses on the back of the engine by the T 's and 4 that go under the truck. Also I believe 3 by the water pump. None that I believe are that bad to replace if somewhat handy. How is your radiator? I developed a leak in my heater bypass recently. Seems only one other person has had this problem.
