243 Heads

xXZ-71Xx · March 24, 2015

I am finishing up a bunch of repairs on my 99 sierra 2500 and one of the last things that needs to be fixed is the leaking exhaust manifolds (both sides are leaking pretty bad) on the engine (6.0). Now instead of pulling the old iron heads off and fixing them I was just thinking about buying a set of 243 heads to swap in there for now. I know it sounds crazy but I don't plan on replacing the lifters or cam at this time because next winter I plan to pull the motor and drop in a fresher one and rebuild the current one (re-using the 243 heads of coarse). I have a couple questions for anyone that might know...

I believe it is a 100% direct swap but if I buy a already rebuilt set will the stock 243 valve springs work ok with the stock 99 6.0 cam?

How much should I pay for a rebuilt set and for a rebuild-able set?

I know I will need Head bolts, head gaskets, intake gaskets and exhaust manifold gaskets, Is there anything else I am forgetting?

Thanks

oldscsc · March 24, 2015

The heads will bolt up, but I can't speak from experience whether or not they'll be plug and play with your current valve train.

Regardless, it seems like a lot of work, cost, and trouble to go through knowing you'll be redoing it all in nine months.

You can save the money and headache if you can keep on truckin for a little while longer and do all the work at once. The exhaust leak won't hurt anything other than your brain, so why not.

Chris · March 24, 2015

Direct swap. The cam in the truck is an LS1 cam. As long as the pushrods arent bent and you get a tune, they will work.

Tune is the most important part. The truck will not know what to do with the compression bump without it. So plan on $500+ for that.

xXZ-71Xx · March 24, 2015

The heads will bolt up, but I can't speak from experience whether or not they'll be plug and play with your current valve train.

Regardless, it seems like a lot of work, cost, and trouble to go through knowing you'll be redoing it all in nine months.

You can save the money and headache if you can keep on truckin for a little while longer and do all the work at once. The exhaust leak won't hurt anything other than your brain, so why not.

You make a good point, I may wait but the noise is driving me nuts lol.

Direct swap. The cam in the truck is an LS1 cam. As long as the pushrods arent bent and you get a tune, they will work.

Tune is the most important part. The truck will not know what to do with the compression bump without it. So plan on $500+ for that.

Awesome thanks, I plan on getting a blackbear tune on both of my trucks at some point.

Does this seem like a good deal? $500 for both and a three year warranty...

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=4708188&cc=1423921&jnid=596&jpid=1

Chris · March 24, 2015

Well i passed up a set of completely gone thru 317's for $400. Those i dont think i would pay that. I dont see anywhere that it says price or both are included

DwayneJ · March 24, 2015

Rebuilt 243s if rebuilt well are worth every bit of $500 a pair. 317s command less money due to the big chamber to keep compression down. They do have the same ports but the chamber hurts their value a lot.

Chris · March 24, 2015

Rebuilt 243s if rebuilt well are worth every bit of $500 a pair. 317s command less money due to the big chamber to keep compression down. They do have the same ports but the chamber hurts their value a lot.

I am aware of that, but i have an LQ9 so my compression is high enough. But i didnt see where that says both heads for $500. Rebuilt im thinking it is $500 each because it is a retail store

xXZ-71Xx · March 25, 2015

I am aware of that, but i have an LQ9 so my compression is high enough. But i didnt see where that says both heads for $500. Rebuilt im thinking it is $500 each because it is a retail store

I would ask them but I can't find a way to contact them. If they are $1000 wouldn't aftermarket be a better option? Would the left and right be a slightly different casting, Like bolt hole placement etc because if so it would have to be a set because they don't give you a choice, If not then I'm not sure.