So I am planning on taking replacing the headgasket in my blazer come spring break with tax money. I got the blazer on a trade for my ATV to use as a DD since my car is no longer practical for all the time use. It has 175k miles on it so while im in there I am planning on changing the timing chain and gears and taking both heads in for a valve job. The guy I got it from blew the water pump and it overheated, so he had it towed home and I picked it up from there. The water pump I replaced as soon as I got it so now its time for the big things.
My first question is what all so I need to replace the head gasket? I have heard one type of gasket it better (permadry?) but what else is there? do I need to buy new headbolts and if so how many? Is there anything else that I need to buy so that I can have everything on hand when I start to put it back together?
My second question is if there is anything else I should replace while I've got the engine slightly torn down? I just dont want to get it back together and have another common problem go wrong on me and be taking it back apart and buying another gasket set.

Thanks guys

 

PermaDry are the molded rubber gaskets. I used those on the engine I just built and I'm happy with them. PermaTorque or something like that is FelPros head gaskets that do not need re-torqueing. Just install and you're done. You will need head bolts. They are not a lot and are mostly sold per head, so you'll need 2. Be sure to check first though.

If you buy the complete head gasket set, you shouldn't need to buy anything else that I know of.

 

the head bolts are torque to yield so replacement is a requirement - generally sold in packs to accomodate the motor itself or possibly per head.

get a gasket kit from head up and replace ALL u can with it. the LIM gasket is prone to f up anyways so u want to replace it as preventative maintenance. get new oil and just do a change when your done (not required just a good idea but you will have to top up the system from loss in the heads themselves) get a jug of anti freeze cuz you might lose some doing this (also not a bad idea to just have on hand anyhow in case u get low) make sure you have a torque wrench to tighten everything down properly, and a pile of rags to clean everything up as you go, along with some brake cleaner or TB cleaner for carbon build up. also get a gasket scraper and BE CAREFUL removing gaskets from anything (aluminum u can cut right into it - and scratch the iron which will cause leaks)

 

Ok so need I will only need two head bolts? that was my biggest question, and yeah with the mileage I wanted to make sure I replaced everything I could. Oil is a must for me, According to the sticker he was a bit over anyway and when I replaced the water pump I pulled the radiator and with the way it looked I will be getting coolant flushed as well. I wanted to do a radiator as well but the money just isnt there for that. Thanks for the help guys

 

You are going to need one or two sets. Just ask when you buy your parts. If you are ordering online it should give you some indication of either... requires 2 or 1 per head... something like that.

 

Ok, got it all taken apart and took the heads to the shop.. Gasket really didnt look that bad, although the top of the piston definately looked cleaner (prays my block isnt cracked somewhere). Anywho, while its apart I want to do the timing chain as well b/c of the mileage but I know I need to drop the oil pan to do this. Can that be done with the engine in the truck? Or will I have to pull the motor to drop the pan, change the chain and change the oil pan gasket?