Old red needs a head gasket

[sammy1759]

Well today is the day I start the tear down on the 87 4.3L. I have never done a head gasket swap so I plan on taking the old camera to the garage to photo things so I know where they go when it's done. I have seen like 100 cat c12s be rebuilt and I always heard that it is just take off old stuff and put new parts on. I think it will be easier than I expect. Any helpful hints will be welcomed

~Sam

1987 c/r10 v6 with a turbo 400

[Jason S]

If you don't have one already, a shop manual or something that has the head torque specifications and headbolt torque sequence. Keep the pushrods in order, don't break any bolts off, a 12 or 18 pack and a warm place. Clean all the old gasket material off, keep the gasket surfaces clean when reassembling and you should be good to go. 

[bake74]

     Like jasons said.  A manual, a place to keep everything in order, and taking your time.  Will keep you going in the right direction to be able to get it back together and running right.

[Engineer]

Use a thread tap to clean the threads in the block, wire wheel the head bolt threads clean and free of crud then reinstall with RTV on the head bolt threads.

Make sure to torque the head bolts before the RTV has a chance to set up.

Torque the head bolts in stages. I usually do 35 lb/ft then 65 lb/ft. After the final pull, allow the heads to set for 10~15mins then run the bolts again to final torque.