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#66916 10/07/2006 10:54 PM | Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 8 Junior Member | | Junior Member Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 8 | just read gmc's 53 head gasket problem. same with me and I let my 52 chev sit for 2 years. still turns over but now this inspires me to pull my head. Hope it's a head gasket anyway. its a 235 don't know what year. gordon | | |
#66917 10/07/2006 11:59 PM | Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,029 Member | | Member Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,029 | Before pulling the head, explain what the symptoms are. Splash oiled 235s had side covers that covered the head up past the plugs, like 216s. | | |
#66918 10/08/2006 4:29 PM | Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 8 Junior Member | | Junior Member Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 8 | this 234 doesnt have side cover covering plugs, the whole distributor turns on advance, .and it has the same valve cover as 235's. Water in oil filter emulsified. It's been parked where I couldn't work on it and the front tire's flat so till I get a jack I can't drain the oil etc. First time for me also | | |
#66919 10/08/2006 4:50 PM | Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 | nevsquare52, While the "milkshake" in the pan is certainly a good sign of a blown head gasket, remember that a rig that stands for a long time can draw moisture into the oil which will show up as white globs. Before you pull the head, do a compression check, or verify in some other manner that the head gasket is actually bad. Pulling the head isn't a chore you want to do 'just for grins'!  Stuart | | |
#66920 10/08/2006 5:23 PM | Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 8 Junior Member | | Junior Member Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 8 | prior to parking it, it was losing water and running badly. already pulled vacuum lines and loosened a couple rockers. looking for a book cause I got no idea yet how to adjust valves. lot of help on this site. hope I can do the same sometime | | |
#66921 10/08/2006 6:01 PM | Joined: Aug 2004 Posts: 1,067 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Aug 2004 Posts: 1,067 | I replaced the head gasket in my 235. It wasn't hard at all. The heads a little bit heavy, but if you ate your Wheaties, you can arm curl it out of the engine bay. Might not hurt to have a buddy help you get it out.
When you go back in with the head, a few tips. You need at least two bolts with the heads cut off and a slot cut in them (for screwdriver use) to act as guide pins. Don't make them too tall. Just tall enough to be about an inch over the head when the head's seated is good enough. If you go too tall, then they actually get in the way.
I had to actually stand over the engine bay to lower the head into position. Or use a cherry picker.
And do not forget to use copper gasket spray sealer on the head gasket to promote sealing.
Lastly, make sure the head's not warped. I didn't do this on mine and I wish I did. I think you are only allowed 3 thousandths of an inch of warpage, which is so slight you can barely see it. If you use a straight edge, look for daylight, that's the best way. Or have someone hold the straight edge in place, and slide a feeler gauge in to see what it is. You'll have to probably scrape carbon off the head with a razor blade first.
52 GMC 3/4 ton pickup
68 Big Block Vette
68 455 Firebird
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