Head Gaskets

[Vrabel]

A buddy of mine just picked up an 05 3500 with an ambulance body. He bought it with blown HG's not knowing what it would cost or involve. (He also didn't contact me until two weeks after he bought it.) He lives in PA and got 2 prices on fixing it. Between 5-6G, ouch! I'm assuming those are prices with pulling motor. How big of a suck job is it without pulling motor? 'gotta feeling I'm gonna be the one fixing it.

 

[TeaBagger2006]

you dont have to pull the motor, its a little tougher leaving it in there but definitely possible. is that all thats wrong with the truck?

 

[Vrabel]

I have to check it out. (over an hr away). Purges, stiff hose, doesn't over heat, tried cleaning cap. could'nt think of more for him to check. He's anxious to start a mobile vet business and jumped the gun. Now I want to help him get going.

 

[mike diesel]

If it has a standard truck front end/hood then head gaskets aren't bad. You can do it yourself for right around 600 bucks.

 

[Josh2002cc]

I've always pulled the cab simply because you have unrestricted access to everything. Sure it is more work but I think it allows me to do a much better job. To each his own.

 

[dmax711]

I just did one in the truck. Wasn't bad at all. Its gonna cost more then 600$ tho. If you do it the rite way and replace with studs and c gaskets. Then send heads to machine shop to make sure they are fine .

 

[thunder550]

I had about $800 into mine I think. The only things I bought for it were gaskets (grade A on one side, B on the other since that's what it was built with from the factory), ARP studs, valve seals, injector O-rings and copper washers. All the other gaskets and seals are reusable. I cleaned up the heads at home, didn't send them out to be worked over. No issues.

Did mine in the truck too. Took about 10 days working a few hours each day.