97 Sierra Head Gasket(s)

jwhuber · March 30, 2011

Ok. So I have a 1997 GMC Sierra with a 134,000 miles and a 350 that apparently has a head gasket issue. Please keep in mind that I'm in Afghanistan and cannot physically look at the truck. The truck has been checked out by a very reputable automotive shop in Champaign, IL, one that my father-in-law has been going to for almost 20 years. I just got off the phone with them and they told me that they did a check on it (dye I believe) and that the gasket(s) are leaking. They can't pinpoint exactly which gasket it is, just that it's leaking and I believe he mentioned something about exhaust getting in the (head???).. So...I asked them how much it would be to replace both gaskets and was told somewhere just South of $2,000 (labor included). Does this seem high to you? I was thinking somewhere around $1,200-1,500.

I then asked if it would be better to just replace the it with a longblock and be done with it. He told me I would be looking at somewhere around $4,500 all together (labor included). The tranny was completely gone through 15k miles ago. So if the engine was replaced I would have virtually a new truck (the body and interior is in great shape). He told me that he wanted to look over it further to get a better picture of everything, in case there was something else that was wrong. I told him once he finished to let my father-in-law know, and he would contact me to see what I wanted to do. By the way, he also stated that the check engine light was on, and that one of the codes was the catalytic convertors.

These are not hard numbers, just what he thought the highest might be. I have been leaning towards keeping this truck for at least 3-4 years, if not more than that. What do you think is the best route to go? What should I expect to pay for each repair from an independent repair shop? Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

If I forgot to mention something please let me know.

gmtech4 · March 31, 2011

get a pic of it and post the pic ,

my 2 cents

jwhuber · March 31, 2011

I'll have to have someone else take a pic for me, as I'm in Afghanistan for at least another 10 days. Do you want pics of both sides of the motor?

So the question still stands: If you had the choice of either replacing the gaskets or dropping a new engine in it (if nothing else is wrong), what would you do? The vehicle is going to be driven from Illinois to Arizona in a few weeks as well. I'm going to check with the mechanic (close family friend) that I used to take my vehicles to before I got into the Air Force and ask him what he would charge too.

jwhuber · April 1, 2011

I'm going to have the truck looked at by a family friend of mine in my hometown. He told me that for the head gaskets it would be $1,200 at the most, even if they had to be resurfaced. As for a motor swap, he said around $1300 plus the cost of the new crate motor. I trust his opinion more so than the mechanic in Champaign, who I don't know. Thanks for the help.