Northstar Headgasket/Bolt Failure? Please let us know

[Big Pip]

'98 Deville with 107k-
HG were blown before I purchased car but I was not told that but I found out 3 days later!
Dealer is dropping motor and installing a Stud Kit. They were originally going to just replace the HG's with the motor in the car but then he realized that this car was a '98 and not a '93 (I have no idea where he got the impression it was a '93) and notified me that the repair on this car is to instal the Stud Kit which requires dropping the engine. I am not going to argue because 1st) I wanted the stud kit installed anyways and 2nd) I sure as hell wouldn't want to drill into the rear side of the motor with the firewall right there!

I was told they would be done on Monday 10/26. God I hope so, I haven't even driven this car 100 miles yet!

[mangotel]

1997 ElDordo - 235k miles
I've been told it isn't fixable. The headbolts will pull out if torqued back to spec during the headgasket repair attempt.

Is this true?

Is Cadillac saying anything about this?

What options do you recommend?

mangotel

[00 Deville]

Originally Posted by mangotel

1997 ElDordo - 235k miles
I've been told it isn't fixable. The headbolts will pull out if torqued back to spec during the headgasket repair attempt.

Is this true?

Is Cadillac saying anything about this?

What options do you recommend?

mangotel

It is fixable... you have to repair all 20 holes in the block with either...

Studs http://Northstarperformance.com

Norm's Inserts

Timeserts

I would recommend either the Studs or Norms Inserts... Timeserts are not as strong of a repair. Expect to pay $2000-$2500... most dealers will charge $3500-$4500 and use Timeserts. If you have any more questions I would recommend starting a new thread in the N* section of the board.

[AlBundy]

I see 97, 98, 99 are still increasing since I last visited this thread.

[clarkz71]

My 95 Eldo is still all original, runs great.

[68Futura]

My 98 sls made it just over 107k miles. Although I haven't had the coolant tested yet, the temp gauge is bobbing up and down. a sure sign from what I here, but i'll look into it more before I jump to conclusions... Looking at a wrecked 03 sls w/80k to fix up with parts from my 98. I see from the pole that the engines got better after 2000, but that could partially be just cuz they haven't had as much time to fail yet. Anyone else think this may be the case? or did GM in fact greatly improve these engines?

[AlBundy]

Originally Posted by clarkz71

My 95 Eldo is still all original, runs great.

Ditto clarkz. How it going? I've been gone for awhile but it's still good to hear from you guys. My transmission sensor is almost gone but the Eldo is still going.

[whitesls]

My 1997 Seville SLS had the head gasket/pulled bolts problem around 50k miles. The dealer replaced the gasket and "repaired" the pulled bolts which lasted about 8 months before it went bad again. Then one final try at an independent mechanic shop and lasted about 1 month.
It now sits parked in the garage....a beautiful piece of art to admire. It still starts with a perfect body and everything functions...except the engine blows smoke so it is not drivable on the road. Sad sad sad.....See this link for a video of car as I pulled it outside for pictures:

YouTube- 1997 Cadillac SLS

[whitesls]

Has anyone heard about the quality of engines at northstarperformance.com?

I am in northern california and am tempted to use their rebuilt engine (reasonable price at $2600) and find a quality experience northstar engine installer in my area to install the engine.

Any thoughts are welcome. Thank you.