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1996 pontiac firebird 3.8 v6 head gasket replacement questio


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jagerandres
Novice

Dec 14, 2022, 11:01 PM

Post #1 of 10 (1364 views)
post icon 1996 pontiac firebird 3.8 v6 head gasket replacement questio Sign In

so i am replacing the head gaskets on my 96 firebird v6 and took off the intake and saw oxidation on the gasket mating surfaces on both the plenum and intake manifold around the thermostat area, i think there was some oxidation on the heads too (between the intake manif and heads) i was wondering if i could leave it alone or if i should do something about it because i dont want to have to tear it all apart again. i think if i try to sand/grind it down it would create a un even surface and it wont seal at all. or could i just put some gasket maker around that area and be fine? i am really trying to avoid having to take any of the parts to a machine shop bc i aint got the money for that....


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Dec 15, 2022, 4:33 AM

Post #2 of 10 (1347 views)
Re: 1996 pontiac firebird 3.8 v6 head gasket replacement questio Sign In

You should never be doing a head gasket job without sending the heads to the machine shop.
There is a very high chance the head surface would be warped and require resurfacing. They should also check them for cracks. If you "ain't got the money", it's time to park the car until you do.

If you are already seeing surface pitting or corrosion, that's a red flag.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Dec 15, 2022, 4:34 AM)


jagerandres
Novice

Dec 15, 2022, 9:01 AM

Post #3 of 10 (1326 views)
Re: 1996 pontiac firebird 3.8 v6 head gasket replacement questio Sign In

I already checked and the machine shop wants 350 to re surface the heads. And this question was not about the heads being warped, it was about corrosion on the air intake plenum and manifold. I am currently out of work and dont have any income, so therefore i cannot pay the machine shop. I have been driving my mom and dads van for 2 months now and my dad wants his van back so he can go on vacation so i have to fix my car asap. I don't have time or a job to get the 350$+ tax that they want just to either look at them and tell me they are fine or have them gone for 2 weeks. I dont want to be stuck at home with my only car torn all the way down to the block and not able to go anywhere or do anything for the month and a half it is going to take me to get that 350...


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Dec 15, 2022, 9:08 AM

Post #4 of 10 (1324 views)
Re: 1996 pontiac firebird 3.8 v6 head gasket replacement questio Sign In

It doesn't matter what you want, what you need or what you can afford. The engine cannot be reliably repaired without the heads going to the machine shop.

Blown head gaskets are caused by overheating and aluminum heads nearly always warp and sometimes crack when that happens.

Half fixing it isn't fixing it at all.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



jagerandres
Novice

Dec 15, 2022, 9:17 AM

Post #5 of 10 (1317 views)
Re: 1996 pontiac firebird 3.8 v6 head gasket replacement questio Sign In

Alright well can you find me a machine shop in the Lp of Michigan that will surface the heads for the 20$ i have in my wallet? Because that is all i got for money right now.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Dec 15, 2022, 9:20 AM

Post #6 of 10 (1311 views)
Re: 1996 pontiac firebird 3.8 v6 head gasket replacement questio Sign In

Rock and hard place. Machine shop may find more wrong all about it or it won't work or last for crap.

Gotta do it right or not at all,

T



Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Dec 15, 2022, 9:21 AM

Post #7 of 10 (1304 views)
Re: 1996 pontiac firebird 3.8 v6 head gasket replacement questio Sign In

I don't know what to tell you.

You want something you can't afford. Sounds like you had better contact Santa Claus.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



jagerandres
Novice

Dec 15, 2022, 9:23 AM

Post #8 of 10 (1302 views)
Re: 1996 pontiac firebird 3.8 v6 head gasket replacement questio Sign In

And once again the heads are not supposed to be the focus of the question..... i was asking about the oxidation on the intake parts.


jagerandres
Novice

Dec 15, 2022, 9:38 AM

Post #9 of 10 (1293 views)
Re: 1996 pontiac firebird 3.8 v6 head gasket replacement questio Sign In

I dont even think the head gaskets are bad anymore because while taking it apart all of the intake gaskets had cracks in them but i am changing the head gaskets anyways.


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Dec 15, 2022, 9:43 AM

Post #10 of 10 (1291 views)
Re: 1996 pontiac firebird 3.8 v6 head gasket replacement questio Sign In


Quote
i was asking about the oxidation on the intake parts.


That calls for more resurfacing, preferably by a machine shop but you may be able to plane the surface flat with a large file, then again you might make it worse if you don't know what you are doing.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.







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