I have searched around and either just can't find one or haven't looked deep enough, but my truck has a blown head gasket on a 2.8L TBI. Is there any "how to's" on the site or on the internet that someone may know of? I already have the radiator,alternator and A/C compressor out of the way. After I get the heads off gonna take them in and get them checked. Head gasket blew due to overheating cause of a clogged radiator.


On the local craigslist site there is a 2.8L motor for sale for only $100. Hasn't ran in over 3 years though but when removed it did run. Would it be worth it to go ahead and buy this motor just to have a set of backup heads in case mine are shot? The motor came out of a 1986 Camaro. Would this motor bolt straight up and would my wiring harness and all work on it if it came down to just dropping in this whole motor?

 

If you are going to buy another motor, get the 3.4L v6. It is a direct swap in for your 2.8L and has a bit more gusto.

As far as a how to for removing your heads... There really isn't much to it. You practically have it to the point of just unbolting the intake, exhaust, and then the head. You'll need to mark the distributor rotor alignment to the distributor body as well as make a mark to align the distributor body back to the intake so that you can set the timing right back to where it was initially when you have it all back together, but that is about it.

If you do not already have one, get a manual for your truck. If you cannot find a factory service manual on eBay or other online places, then a Haynes, Chiltons, or other aftermarket manual will help out better than nothing.

 

I plan on marking my distributor for the #1 cylinder and then turning the crank till #1 is TDC.

I have been searching for the 3.4L V6 but have not found one yet. but for only $100 for a 2.8L...and then if something is wrong with my heads I'll have backup heads. I need to get this truck back up in running in a short time as both my wife and I work, and I have to drive at least an hour to work and work time varies and then my wife has to be at work at a certain time but is about a 5 minute drive from the house. Don't want to have to make her walk too much

 

All RWD 60 degree v6 blocks are the same after 86 (so are the heads). Yes you can use the short block from a 86 f-body and all your stuff will bolt to it. You will have to swap out the intakes as if I recall correctly the f-body should have multiport FI.


The 3.4s are getting hard to find. The f-bodies they came in are getting up there with age and people are either swapping the motors out for them or cause its just a v6 camaro they are going straight to the crusher. It took me almost 2 years of searching to find a 3.4 in my area.

 

Well, heads are off. Friend of mine is a mechanic and knows how to check the heads and all. So he gonna check em. I will say the inside of the motor was NASTY! Caked on oil. I believe some of the ports were clogged up with caked oil. So gonna take a few days to completely clean it all off due to having to work in the daytime and can only mess with the cleaning after work.

 

If you have the know how and the means I would suggest gasket matching the heads and intake while you got it tore down.

The intake side on mine was close but I was able to open the exhaust up a good bit.

 

Taking pics so I remember how brackets and some hoses and belts reattach really helps..

 

dang, thought mine was nasty, lol