Vets-Vet

Good Morning,
I will be going into my 87 (83k) for lifters pushrods and springs in a few days. After solving the pole piece problem the starter quit and after solving the starter problem I found the tranny leaking fluid in three places. In order to solve the tranny leaks the downpipes had to come off. This means that I will have the down pipes off and the air pump, alternator, AC comp loosened. The distributor and the intake will be off as well as the entire top peeled back again plus the plugs out and coolant drained. I need to get to that bell housing bolt for the tranny dipstick as well. I will also have to use the pressure trick to keep the valves in place while I change the springs and once again replace the stem seals, something not neccessary with the heads off. I can also have the the valves replaced and clean the head up. (I am unfamiliar with lapping valves).
My question is, since I plan to keep the car, and in 5 years it would not be likely I would feel like going back in, should I bite the bullet and just do the heads/valves now? Am I so close to head gaskets that at 36 years old and the work I have to do, just go ahead and do the heads as well. Is "time" a killer of head gaskets? What in addition has to come off ?

FostersPerformance

If you have to tear it down that far, yeah do the head gaskets. Time does take their toll. You won't regret doing it.

Vets-Vet

Would it be stupid to not send the heads out and to not replace the valves?

Whaleman

You can send the heads out but it is unlikely the valves will need to be replaced. Maybe guides. Dan

Vets-Vet

Are there new, reliable valves if needed ? Melling ?? Since I replaced the stem seals no smoke and oil use is near if not zero, hopefully that is a good sign for the guides. The cost of the headgaskets go up immensley with head work, but it would be risky without.

FAUEE

IMO, send the heads out for porting and upgrades. Do the new head gasket, and a cam. No reason to tear into it as far as you have to not come out on the other side with more power.

Vets-Vet

Thanks all for the help. As far as more power it is a good suggestion but it has 36 year old bearings in the lower end and the price for a cam goes to far (unless one of the lifters has been chewing away).

Whaleman

36 year old main bearings with proper oil changes can look brand new. What makes you think you need NEW valves? Maybe you are meaning to grind and lap your valves. Dan

Vets-Vet

""What makes you think you need NEW valves"",

Not a thing, just info in case I have to make decisions. Can valves be lapped without replacing them with larger sizes ???
Thanks again for your help.

FostersPerformance

If you pull the heads, just have the machine shop deal with them. More than likely the heads will be warped. They will cut them, do the valve seals, and a valve job and you'll sleep good knowing it was done right. Last set of heads I just had done were under 400 bucks for the pair a month ago.

wilcar

Not sure what heads your 87 came with but you might be able to get a new set of performance aftermarket heads like Darts for a good price. Check and see what Summit has to offer.

Incorvettei

Why do you have to pull the heads to replace the lifters? I have done lifters on my 86 without pulling the heads

Gale Banks 80'

It looks as though You are determined to be in the bottom of the rabbit hole looking up ! You're taking the Intake Manifold off to fix a Transmission Leak ?????

Vets-Vet

@Gale Banks 80' , No, to replace lifters.

@FostersPerformance , That makes a lot of good sense, Thanks.
""If you pull the heads, just have the machine shop deal with them. More than likely the heads will be warped. They will cut them, do the valve seals, and a valve job and you'll sleep good knowing it was done right. Last set of heads I just had done were under 400 bucks for the pair a month ago.""

ThomasR

I agree. At this point I would do the heads.

I would like to add one more reason - that aluminum heads on an iron block do grind away the head gasket over time.

Vets-Vet

So whats your favorite head gasket and bolt set ????

FostersPerformance

On my 383 I ran ARP head bolts, but GM ones are more than fine for stock.
And as far as head gaskets, I am a marine mechanic, so I use marine ones. Again, this is what I used on my 383 build.

Vets-Vet

Well after all Mercury Marine did build a few C4 engines right !!!!!!

Thanks Also to @ThomasR

Whaleman

Can you please explain the difference? Thanks, Dan

Vets-Vet

@FostersPerformance Whalemans question is a good one, I'm interested too, not that I would use it but it is still interesting. I am close to buying Fel Pro 501SD severe duty and ARP 1343601.