6.2 rebuild for bad head gasket

[NZurban]

So after much diagnosing I've finally concluded that head gasket replacement is necessary on my '84 K20 Suburban 6.2 diesel. Does anyone have any advice on doing this procedure? Should I get the cylinders honed while I have it out of the vehicle or should I just replace the head gaskets with the engine still in the vehicle? What about new piston rings? There is a little smoke on start up, especially if it's been sitting for a few days, maybe that's bad glow plugs. I'll also be replacing those while the vehicle is off the road. Any other advice/tips gratefully appreciated.

 

[Rickf]

How did you conclude it is a head gasket issue, bubbles in the coolant,white exhaust smoke, milky engine oil? You might try a compression and/or leak down test first. If it's low on compression a leak down will tell you if it's a ring or valve issue. How many miles or km are on it?

 

[Dave 84]

How did you conclude it is a head gasket issue, bubbles in the coolant,white exhaust smoke, milky engine oil? You might try a compression and/or leak down test first. If it's low on compression a leak down will tell you if it's a ring or valve issue. How many miles or km are on it?

X2!

 

[NZurban]

It regularly fills the overflow tank on a 20 - 30 mile trip out of town, fine on the open road but overheats as soon we hit urban speeds. Get home and the overflow is always bubbling. Changed the thermostat, got a new slightly less pressure radiator cap, checked the waterpump etc etc Doesn't blow white smoke, no milky engine oil Think it has about 166000 miles on it.

 

[Rickf]

At 166,00 miles, it's barely broken in. Bubbles in the coolant are most likely from a head gasket or a cracked head. If it has decent oil pressure, I'd just pull the heads. If the head gaskets look ok, have the heads checked for cracks.

 

[NZurban]

Any particular brand of headgasket? I looked at some FelPro ones at RockAuto, says they're molded rubber construction, seems unusual.