View Full Version : Blown head gasket


FrankieSixxxgun
06-05-08, 06:43 PM
Hey guys, it's been a while since I posted because my Brougham has been running fine, well, until today. I think this extremely hot Florida summer finally did the ol' car in, cause today my passenger head gasket went with a a bang. I just shot coolant ALL over my driveway, total sprayer. So, since everything else on the car works fine, I figure I should fix it instead of send the car to the junkyard and get another beater. The question I have is how involved is the head gasket replacement on this car? I'm no dummy when it comes to mechanics and can swap the engine all day in my '67 Chevy, I've just noticed that this car has a lot of 80's GM gotchas, and I don't want to get in over my head. Is it pretty much a standard, carb'd, RWD kinda swap or am I going to have to yank every accessory out of the car to get the heads off?

jayoldschool
06-05-08, 08:11 PM
It's just a regular old V8. You'll be fine. If you have swapped engines before, and torn one down, everything will be familiar. An intake gasket set, a head gasket, a few beers, and you'll be back in business...

FrankieSixxxgun
06-05-08, 08:15 PM
It's just a regular old V8. You'll be fine. If you have swapped engines before, and torn one down, everything will be familiar. An intake gasket set, a head gasket, a few beers, and you'll be back in business...

That's what I wanted to hear! The exhaust was cake when I did it, but I'd rather die than do a water pump on that thing again. Looks like pizza and beer on me and I'll get some friends to help this weekend. Might get some power back too, I have no doubt that was blown for a while and it finally went all the way.

jayoldschool
06-05-08, 10:37 PM
Take pics!

Take the hood, off, too. I'm sure you already know this...

Old Fleetwood
06-05-08, 11:09 PM
Just being nosy:
Is that the Oldsmobile-based 307 motor?:confused:

FrankieSixxxgun
06-06-08, 02:00 AM
Just being nosy:
Is that the Oldsmobile-based 307 motor?:confused:

Yessir. Slowest V8 on the planet.

I will definitely get pics. Sounds like a hot rod weekend. Just gotta get to work tomorrow, hope it's nice enough out to take the Harley.

jayoldschool
06-06-08, 09:59 AM
Yessir. Slowest V8 on the planet.



The HT4100 and the Chev 267 would challenge for that title ...

kevm14
06-06-08, 10:25 AM
Yeah I was gonna say. Don't give the 307 too much credit ;)

Though it's interesting to take a look on which engines survived.

* Buick 231 as the GM 3800-I, II and III (if not gone now, then by next year) (Chevy 229 was last known in 2bbl config and a real pig)

* 305 and 350 in various iterations (TPI, TBI, LT1 then L30/L31 Vortec in their last form and maybe still around in Marine use only)

* 265 made a brief showing as the L99 from 94-96 in Caprices only but this hardly counts (still stunned GM even bothered).

* 4.3L V6 is definitely still available in some fleet option pickups

Did I miss anything? I guess the 4.3 wins whatever contest I just made up....haha. But seriously, it was just the right size based off a great design (350) for power, efficiency and reliability. Oh and it's gotta cost GM all of $29 to build, right?

lochenjons
06-06-08, 04:22 PM
The HT4100 and the Chev 267 would challenge for that title ...

x2 on the ht4100

FrankieSixxxgun
06-07-08, 12:42 PM
I've driven HT4100 Devilles and they blow away my Brougham. The 307 is a huge turd.

deVille33
06-07-08, 10:30 PM
Wait a minute, I gotta roller cam for that 307. Wake 'er right up. Got it in a leftover engine from someone's grant of gifts. Yours on the cheap. Gimme a holler.

jayoldschool
06-07-08, 10:48 PM
I've driven HT4100 Devilles and they blow away my Brougham. The 307 is a huge turd.


lol, drive a 4100 in the full size FWB, and you will think your 307 is a top fuel motor...