How big a job are head gaskets on '97 4.3?
#11
RE: How big a job are head gaskets on '97 4.3?
about $75.00 an hour
#12
RE: How big a job are head gaskets on '97 4.3?
$90/hr in CT. [:'(]
#13
RE: How big a job are head gaskets on '97 4.3?
Since it looks like an intake manifold gasket on mine too, I did some homework today.
Chevy dealer says @$450 for replacing head gaskets. NAPA price for a complete gasket set is $89. AutoZone price for a Fel-Pro set designed to resist coolant and oil is $79.
I'm debating whether to just let the dealer do it. It will depend on how the job looks when I go through the service manuals. If the Chevy dealer can do it in one day, I ought to be able to do it in a weekend.
Later edit:
NAAAAAAHH - I'll do it. Can't beat the savings, and it should be a one-day job.
Chevy dealer says @$450 for replacing head gaskets. NAPA price for a complete gasket set is $89. AutoZone price for a Fel-Pro set designed to resist coolant and oil is $79.
I'm debating whether to just let the dealer do it. It will depend on how the job looks when I go through the service manuals. If the Chevy dealer can do it in one day, I ought to be able to do it in a weekend.
Later edit:
NAAAAAAHH - I'll do it. Can't beat the savings, and it should be a one-day job.
#14
RE: How big a job are head gaskets on '97 4.3? - MORE
Update: I almost had the upper intake manifold off - but I got stalled on the fuel lines. The fuel line connections are buried against the firewall. I found that the distributor has to come out first so there's room to swing a tubing wrench. Amd if you don't have a 10MM crow's foot wrench, you are limited totaking about 1/16 turns with a standard wrench and flipping it for every turn. No problem, that just meant it took about 40 minutes to remove the STINKING distributor bolt.
However, I finally have the top half of the intake manifold off and can see what else needs to come off.
I gotta say - I recently pulled the intake manifold off a 1990 Audi V6, and it was MUCH easier. This motor has so much garbage mounted on top of it that it's a nightmare to work on. I've been doing my own car repair since 1968 and this is one of the most frustrating jobs I've ever done! I have about 7 hours into it and I don't even have the top half of the intake manifold off.
However, I finally have the top half of the intake manifold off and can see what else needs to come off.
I gotta say - I recently pulled the intake manifold off a 1990 Audi V6, and it was MUCH easier. This motor has so much garbage mounted on top of it that it's a nightmare to work on. I've been doing my own car repair since 1968 and this is one of the most frustrating jobs I've ever done! I have about 7 hours into it and I don't even have the top half of the intake manifold off.
#15
RE: How big a job are head gaskets on '97 4.3? - MORE
FINAL note: after finishing the intake manifold gasket replacement, I wrote up the procedure and it's now found in the DIY section of the forum. First time took me about 20 hours; I have another to do on my1999 Blazer and that will probbly take about half as long.
#16
RE: How big a job are head gaskets on '97 4.3?
It's fixed now though after just replacing the intake gasket?
#17
RE: How big a job are head gaskets on '97 4.3?
Yes, however "just replacing the intake manifold gaskets" took 20 hours. if you follow my DIY contribution you may possibly do it in half that time.
#18
RE: How big a job are head gaskets on '97 4.3?
That's not what I mean. You were talking about replacing the head gaskets earlier in this thread so I wanted to see if what you did fixed it. Thanks. Mine is fine so I won't be doing but when I need to, I have your DIY. [sm=smiley20.gif]
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