head gasket replacement

Subject: Re: head gasket replacement Wed Jan 14, 2009 10:50 am

Travis Definitely has a clue...

Search this editboard for the Series III engine swap, I remember seeing it but do not remember where.

Albertj

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1998 with all fac. opts. (exc. CD changer and subwoofer); 209,000 miles. Mods: KYB front struts, extra noise barriers, fire extinguisher, Magnecor 8mm plug wires, 4-note horn, custom-made stainless exhaust.

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Subject: Re: head gasket replacement Wed Jan 14, 2009 7:49 pm

albertj wrote:

We need for some other people to weigh in on this, BUT if you also swap the ECU and wiring (if there's even a difference) the Park Ave Series III motor should work. Might not have to do all that - and in any event Don't do it on my say so though- find someone who actually has a clue...

by the way while that PA motor is out for the swap might be good time to do preventive mainenance (like replace those PITA spark plugs). How many miles on the PA motor?

and also by the way WHY is that PA only $800? Wrecked?

Albertj

the PA price was for the motor only. Ill still have to use my power steering, starter, alernator, etc. but at 35000 miles, hell I might take a road trip THEN sell it. I thought about getting rid of it instead of replacing the motor but you get lowballed on a car that needs that kind of maintenance done.

is the series III computer located under the glove compartment like a series II?

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1995 Riviera NA 3800 Series II motor, cat delete, chrome grill, Pioneer DEH-7400 stereo, Pioneer (2)4 1/2'', (2) Kicker 41/2'', (2) 5 1/4'' Pioneer speakers, (2) Kicker 6X9 interior speakers, (2) Audiobahn 12'' subs SOLD! bought for $500, sold for $3000

1995 Riviera 3800 SC 76K miles, cat delete
straight pipe for the ladies

Subject: Re: head gasket replacement Tue Oct 20, 2009 3:59 pm

i have a blown head gasket(just found out today) i got it quoted at $1500 from the local shop. Psh no thanks. I will tackle it myself

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-Texasfan010-
1996 Buick Riviera
3800 series II supercharged
180* stat - AL 104s - 4" PVC intake

Subject: Re: head gasket replacement Wed Oct 21, 2009 11:31 pm

texasfan010 wrote:

i have a blown head gasket(just found out today) i got it quoted at $1500 from the local shop. Psh no thanks. I will tackle it myself

Good luck

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1.9RR's, SSAC, LQ4 maf and N*, Gen V-ported, L32 LIM ported and polished, L26 block, L67 heads, tune, E85, 65# injectors
Worthy quotes:

Rickw wrote:

What a dipshit, grow up.

deekster_caddy wrote:

LOL @ guessing Rick's age. Since we've gotten together a couple of times I won't guess wink

he'd probably hit me

Subject: Re: head gasket replacement Wed Oct 21, 2009 11:49 pm

its not hard. my big concern when doing mine was the thought oh having to adjust my valves afterwards. i found out that the riv has non adjustable valves. after that hurdle was tackled i found the job time consuming but not difficult. I'm used to wrenching so the time was not a prob. it all depends on your level of skill. it don't take a whole lot. just catalogue all the bolts so they go back in the right place..and should be OK!.....if you drink beer while you do the work your self integrity scores will shoot straight up! i recommend grolsch dutch beer for this level of work

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95 riviera wht s/c...mods are in the works...mildly ported heads,manifolds and intake manifold. bilstein rear conversion. CCS custom springs.lowered 1". 160 stat.and a whole bunch of other s..t that i have to get out of my brain and onto the car.

Subject: Re: head gasket replacement Thu Oct 22, 2009 9:51 am

robotennis61 wrote:

its not hard. my big concern when doing mine was the thought oh having to adjust my valves afterwards. i found out that the riv has non adjustable valves. after that hurdle was tackled i found the job time consuming but not difficult. I'm used to wrenching so the time was not a prob. it all depends on your level of skill. it don't take a whole lot. just catalogue all the bolts so they go back in the right place..and should be OK!.....if you drink beer while you do the work your self integrity scores will shoot straight up! i recommend grolsch dutch beer for this level of work

and be sure to replace the stretch head bolts, they are not really reusable but such good quality that they seem to be. If you don't replace they will fail after a while due to thermal cycling. Maybe a long while, but it's a certainty not a gamble. Had a friend who pulled that stunt, it was kinda funny when I asked him if it was easier the second time.

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1998 with all fac. opts. (exc. CD changer and subwoofer); 209,000 miles. Mods: KYB front struts, extra noise barriers, fire extinguisher, Magnecor 8mm plug wires, 4-note horn, custom-made stainless exhaust.

Avatar is missing.

Subject: Re: head gasket replacement Thu Oct 22, 2009 9:56 am

i just wanted to add that you should make sure you ID all the vacuum hoses for re-installation.
I just wrap a little masking tape around them and mark with a Sharpie. (unless you have a photographic memory)
Also can't hurt to take photo's before dis-assembly to help you on re-assembly.

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98 Riv, 102K Miles, EBC, LS1 Ft.Calipers, STB, Addco Rr Sway Bar, 180* stat., SSAC Headers, HF Cat, 1.9's,
105# springs, MPS 3.4, DHP tuned by the Deekster.

Subject: Re: head gasket replacement Thu Oct 22, 2009 11:28 am

yeah..all of the above. once you remove the fuel rail and the injectors and get the plumbing out the way and off to the side,power steering,lines,vac,its pretty straight forward. drape a blanket over the radiator cowl and lay down to access all the bolts at the rear cylinder. piece of cake.when it comes to the front cylinder,i found it helpful to remove the rad cowl ,this gave me more work space for the header bolts and does not take much time to remove.

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95 riviera wht s/c...mods are in the works...mildly ported heads,manifolds and intake manifold. bilstein rear conversion. CCS custom springs.lowered 1". 160 stat.and a whole bunch of other s..t that i have to get out of my brain and onto the car.

Subject: Re: head gasket replacement Sun Oct 25, 2009 7:31 pm

The only thing I would add is that very rarely do 3800s blow head gaskets, unless you've been running the S/C motor on cheap gas. Usually it's the LIM gaskets instead. Did they do a compression test, leakdown test, and give you the results? Or did they just pull the plugs and see antifreeze?

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'98 Buick Riviera; Gen V 3.25 pulley, N*, VS Cam, 180 stat, Custom PCM (Powrtuner), headers & HF cat , 42.5 lb inj.

Grant-built/PRJ/Thrasher trans 3.29 gears, 7/8 chain, zzp hardened IS