Is this really a cracked engine block?

[MikeSilverGT]

Problem solved. The cylinder head was warped.

I don't get it though, the car has NEVER overheated.

What a nice $2000 Chrsitmas gift for the Grand Am.

[350rs]

thats part of the downfall with aluminum parts. they are weaker than cast. dosent take much to mess them up. thats the exact reason i wont put aluminum heads on my camaro.

[MikeSilverGT]

Yeah, sounds like a good plan to stick with cast iron. My next mods are going to be the low temp thermostat and casper's fan switch.

In hindsight though, it explains the misfires. My interceptor gauge was reading a few misfires (2-6 a min at idle, less on highway) but I figured it was normal since it didn't throw a code or an idiot light. But there have been 0 since I got it back (for 30 miles). The power difference is pretty noticable now that I have that compression back too. Go figure.

So to sum it up: Oil in your coolant, clean oil, and a few misfires might mean your cylinder head is warped, but not cracked.

I love the car, but I think I'm done with domestics. No need for crap like this at 52k with the temp gauge never having gotten even to the 3/4 mark.

[PhantomLover007]

Originally Posted by 350rs

thats part of the downfall with aluminum parts. they are weaker than cast. dosent take much to mess them up. thats the exact reason i wont put aluminum heads on my camaro.

But that's the cost of light go-fast parts in a GA so you can hit 13's...

[Malaclypse]

Originally Posted by MikeSilverGT

Yeah, sounds like a good plan to stick with cast iron. My next mods are going to be the low temp thermostat and casper's fan switch.

In hindsight though, it explains the misfires. My interceptor gauge was reading a few misfires (2-6 a min at idle, less on highway) but I figured it was normal since it didn't throw a code or an idiot light. But there have been 0 since I got it back (for 30 miles). The power difference is pretty noticable now that I have that compression back too. Go figure.

So to sum it up: Oil in your coolant, clean oil, and a few misfires might mean your cylinder head is warped, but not cracked.

I love the car, but I think I'm done with domestics. No need for crap like this at 52k with the temp gauge never having gotten even to the 3/4 mark.

A headgasket on these motors isn't exactly a common occourence. So its not exactly fair to condem all domestics because of one faulty gasket. Especially considering that the vast majority of 3400s probably never need head gaskets.

Now if you want to start griping about Northstar headgaskets and lower crankcase leaks? Yeah.... that's a pretty retarded issue.

[MikeSilverGT]

Originally Posted by Malaclypse

A headgasket on these motors isn't exactly a common occourence. So its not exactly fair to condem all domestics because of one faulty gasket. Especially considering that the vast majority of 3400s probably never need head gaskets.

Now if you want to start griping about Northstar headgaskets and lower crankcase leaks? Yeah.... that's a pretty retarded issue.

Yeah, I know. I was just pissed off because GM was kinda nasty on the phone telling me it must have been driver habits. Not like I was demanding a freebie, just the mechanic at the first shop felt that on a fairly low milage car a warped cylinder head shouldn't have happened and was telling me to contact them.

Oh well, it runs a ton better now and the piston slap is less noticable!