Head Questions for the 3.4L 965-4082

[ThaDyce17]

Im going to replace my Heads tomorrow on my 3.4L... How long does the job take if I want to change the heads out?... Is it hard to do? What am I looking at here? They told me that my intake manifold gasket was leaking and that my heads are warped. Oh yeah and when I put the gaskets back on what side of the gasket do I put the silicone on? And should I use blue or black... I think the Manifold gasket came with black but I dunno about the head gasket

[davidlb512]

Re: Head Questions for the 3.4L 965-4082

http://www.ls1.com/forums/showthread.php?t=126636

Here's a thread that will have a lot of helpful info for you. I just did a head job on my 3.4 this past december, and it took a total of about 6-7 hours of work. Although I was only able to work on it for 30 minutes to 2 hours at a time. Just remember to keep all your bolts, nuts and everything separated and labeled.

[Bandit127]

Re: Head Questions for the 3.4L 965-4082

its highly recommended that you get new head bolts. They are stretched for the final torque rate and cannot be stretched again, thus making a head gasket fail much more likely.

[davidlb512]

Re: Head Questions for the 3.4L 965-4082

its highly recommended that you get new head bolts. They are stretched for the final torque rate and cannot be stretched again, thus making a head gasket fail much more likely.

Wow dude! Nice call! I'm sorry I forgot to bring that up. That's the reason I had to do a head job in the first place. Because the original head bolts were reused on a previous head job just before I purchase the car.

[Bandit127]

Re: Head Questions for the 3.4L 965-4082

Wow dude! Nice call! I'm sorry I forgot to bring that up. That's the reason I had to do a head job in the first place. Because the original head bolts were reused on a previous head job just before I purchase the car.

No problem! Theres a ton of sources for these bolts too.
NAPA, Rockauto etc etc.

I'd like to know if ARP makes studs, but I havent found any yet.

[ThaDyce17]

Re: Head Questions for the 3.4L 965-4082

okay so they guy who was supposed to help me do this clearly hasnt shown up yet n we were supposed to start hrs ago. Im thinkin abt goin in n tryin to change out the heads myself..... is it a hard job?

[ThaDyce17]

Re: Head Questions for the 3.4L 965-4082

I know its a lot but can somebody give me step by step instructions on doing the heads for my car... or maybe a website that shows step by step instructions?

[flamingchicken]

Re: Head Questions for the 3.4L 965-4082

tomRs did one not to long ago i believe...do a search for the thread.

wow, i typed in "3.4 headgasket" and this was the first thread...

http://forum.camarov6.com/showthread...3.4+headgasket

too easy private. use the search function

[davidlb512]

Re: Head Questions for the 3.4L 965-4082

No problem! Theres a ton of sources for these bolts too.
NAPA, Rockauto etc etc.

I'd like to know if ARP makes studs, but I havent found any yet.

GVPerformance.com has an ARP High Performance hex head stud kit listed under the 3.4 section, but when you open it up, the description says they are for the 3800. Not sure if they are actually the same size head stud of not tho.

[ThaDyce17]

Re: Head Questions for the 3.4L 965-4082

Well guys lemme ask how can I tell is the heads are good. I bought a set of heads from a guy that he said he'd had machined but ended havin to buy a new engine because his block had so many cracks in it. He was supposed to help me install them and no he won't answer and i'm kinda scared the heads arent worth anything... Can anybody help

[88gtman]

Re: Head Questions for the 3.4L 965-4082

I would start by checking them over for breaks and cracks.

[ThaDyce17]

Re: Head Questions for the 3.4L 965-4082

Okay I don't seem to see any of those.... could I tell if they were warped just by looking at them?

[davidlb512]

Re: Head Questions for the 3.4L 965-4082

A generic test for it would be to take a level or straight edge, and put it against the side of the head that contacts the block. Place the level in several different directions on that side too, because there are several different ways that it can warp.

[ThaDyce17]

Re: Head Questions for the 3.4L 965-4082

Now with the heads I have sitting in my car I noticed that the little pieces that go over the valve springs have a little play in them.. Is that normal? And if so where should I place them exactly during instalation? Or should I jst let them be?

[davidlb512]

Re: Head Questions for the 3.4L 965-4082

Now with the heads I have sitting in my car I noticed that the little pieces that go over the valve springs have a little play in them.. Is that normal? And if so where should I place them exactly during instalation? Or should I jst let them be?

I'm guessing that your talking about the rocker arms. Those will have a little bit of play to them, just make sure that when you re-install the heads, that the rocker arms are lined up with the springs again. And while your at that point, if you want a decently priced bolt-on mod that's well worth the bang you'll get out of them, purchase a set of 1.6 ratio roller rockers. Our engine comes stock with 1.5 ratio.