Heater core exploded!!!

[big-phil]

Thanks for all the info, well I read all of this too late I put the head gasket on start it up and still white smoke. so now the head is off and in the back of my truck waiting to go to the machine shop. But I think I have a problem, on the #3 and #4 cylinder exhaust vales, I see small cracks!! so do I need a new head???

[Walter Moore]

I doubt that you need a new head, but you do need to find a machine shop that is equipped to deal with aluminum cylinder heads.

(A lot of the generic "We can fix anything Chevy makes" shops are terrified of aluminum)

My cylinder head was in bad shape from the P.O. driving it with a bad head gasket, and needed major welding, but a local shop here in Indy did a fine job. The trick is to find someone who works on a lot of motorcycle, and/or import car cylinder heads. Those shops will have the ovens that are required to heat the aluminum enough to weld it without warping it.

[big-phil]

Hey guys thanks for all your help This is what I did. I ended up buying a reconditioned head from a head shop in the Dallas area, for $250 with core has new valves , 3 angel valve job new guides, presseure tested.....everything. so I get that head put it on my car and start it with the cam 180 degrees out of time....ouch, I take the head back to the shop and they replace 7!!! bent valves for FREE! I can't tell you the frustration, with all of this but I now know how to time the engine, cam and everything. and how to get my cam guide thing back into its slot with out taking the whole motor apart. I have little markes on most of the pistons from where the valves hit them, but the car runs great now, and has better throttle response. I guess due to better compression and what not. OH and I got the heater core from O'rile auto parts $60.00 This head place shippes heads out also and they are a great bunch of guys and really helped me out with the valve thing. Cylinder Heads International in Grand Prairie Texas 972-264-3449, or 1-800-942-4503 Once again thanks for all the replies! Philip.