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Posted by 91 5.0 5speed (Member # 1867) on :
 
I am looking for a good mechanic, either a individual or shop that will charge a reasonable price to replace a head gasket on my 91 5.0 I am in Fairfield but i am willing to travel to the bay area or Sacramento if needed or if possible maybe someone can come here I will buy all the parts and pay for the machine shop work any help would be appreciated thanxx
 

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Posted by the50ho (Member # 73) on :
 
Is it the time restraints that are keeping you from doing this yourself, or have you just not had alot of experience with something like this and don't feel comforatble doing this kind of job? I only ask because it is very involved, but quite simple. Just takes time and patients. I live in sac, and would be willing to help out, but I am VERY busy, so time is an issue for me right now. Just let me know and we can go from there. I have some other friends that can help too If I can't. Also, you are POSITIVE that it is a head gasket issue right?
 

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Posted by 91 5.0 5speed (Member # 1867) on :
 
Yeah i am pretty sure, my care blows steam out of the tailpipes and my radiator goes empty after I drive it around town. I do not have alot of experience doing head gaskets but I will help any way I can. just let me know a time when either you or your friends will be free and give me a price. I prefer a weekend because I work all week. Thanxx
 

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Posted by 91 5.0 5speed (Member # 1867) on :
 
also my heads are Edelbrock aluminum so they may be cracked. though I hope not.
 

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Posted by the50ho (Member # 73) on :
 
Yeah we're all M-F (NOT MOTHER FUCKERS) guys too! We all have work all day, and I do classes at night, along with some of them, so weekends are by far the best. I'll have to let you know. As for the heads...you will absolutely need to get them checked. Unfortuanetly this means your car will be down for at least a week, as we can disasemble everything, but then have to come back the next week or something after the heads are back from the machine shop.
 

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Posted by 93PONY (Member # 60) on :
 
A re-surface from the machine shop should only take a day. But it's a M-F thing. Rex Hutchinson racing on Auburn will do a good job (shave maybe .005 off the heads) & give the proper surface for a good seal. They charge $60 for just the surfacing. Extra for dis-assebly/assebly, cleaning, magnafluxing, etc. + new valve stem seals ~$30 are manditory. I can dis-assemble/assemble heads no problem. I think machine shops charge ~$60-80 for assembly/dis-assembly. The heads may also require a valvejob which normally runs ~$150 or so. If that's the case, you're either better off geting a set of aftermarket heads or hoging out the stock ones since they're off. Just cleaning up the exhaust bowls will give 10-15% more flow w/the stock valves. Grind down the exhaust hump for another 10%. Easy stuff, 5-6hours work with a die-grinder.

Now would also be a good time to upgrade the valvetrain to the TFS stock replacement springs. Seat pressure is 110lbs. Just that will give a little more power up top. This will also allow you to upgrade to 1.7RR's later on & not get any valvefloat. Summit sells the kit for ~$125. They also sell some of the best HG's you can get for $46. FRPP M-6051-B51's. You'll also need to pick up an intake gasket set FelPro 1262 ($20) & an upper to lower intake gasket ($8)....just in case the old one comes off in pieces. Can't remember if 91's come with the good steel valvecover gaskets. If not, you'll need a set of those too.

This is why shops charge such a hefty price. Normally $700 for a HG swap.
 

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Posted by 91 5.0 5speed (Member # 1867) on :
 
Thanks I appreciate all the advice and help everyone has given me. Hey 50ho how much do you think you might charge me so I can get all the cash and parts together.
 

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Posted by jmcclesk (Member # 1355) on :
 
Do I qualify as a good mechanic?????
 

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Posted by V6 boy (Member # 861) on :
 
im always down to do work i live inl ivermore and i only work like one day a week so ican do it when u have time so let me kno call my cell 925 989 0714.

daniel
 

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Posted by 1sicgt (Member # 714) on :
 
Oh, Dan. Thanx for doing my clutch yesterday. It grabs nicely. Ask you bro if he can take my car tommarrow to get the mufflers put on.
 

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Posted by sic91sleeper (Member # 779) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by 91 5.0 5speed:
I am looking for a good mechanic, either a individual or shop that will charge a reasonable price to replace a head gasket on my 91 5.0 I am in Fairfield but i am willing to travel to the bay area or Sacramento if needed or if possible maybe someone can come here I will buy all the parts and pay for the machine shop work any help would be appreciated thanxx

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