I've been thinking for a while that the head gasket on my 1989 camaro v8 5.0L 305 might being going to hell. After letting it sit overnight, it's been giving a puff of white smoke recently when I start it. Then today, I noticed it started puffing white smoke while sitting idling.

My guess is head gasket...

My question is... How tough is this going to be to replace if I do it on my own? I'm not afraid of undertaking it, I'm just worried I might not have the knowledge/tools to get it done. I'd rather do it myself if I can and save 600$ from a mechanic. I"m guessing around 12 hours for me to finish it with the help of a friend, but I'm not quite sure... Can someone post/link a guide or step-by-step to rip down the engine?

I've also heard it has to be completely ripped down to the block, is this true for an 89 camaro or not?

 

Where are you at. And 600 is a little high most charg about 500. You can do it your self but if its your first time i dont recomend it. Should take 6 or so hours if you bust ***

 

its not hard imo. most youll need tool wise is a breaker bar to losen the bolts, and a torque wrench for the new ones. i think you can get away with just taking the rockers off and leaving the valves in. it would also be a good time to polish the valves if you wanted to.

just pick up a haynes manual, they have a very descriptive and picture sequence to walk you through it. just make sure you wash the engine first

 

before jumping in, take it to a shop. i was told by the guy i bought my 87 z28 305 that the head gasket was bad. i got it pressured tested and it was the intake gasket, not the head gasket. these are 2 different items. $17 for the intake gaskets. i had never done it before. 8 hours later, it was out, cleaned off, and ready to drive. its time consuming but not hard. LABEL YOUR VACUUM HOSES! if not, its a bear. (i actually typed another word but caught myself).

 

I have a hayne's manual for my camaro, but it says nothing about a head gasket. Do I need to buy a separate one for that or is the head gasket under something else in the book?

 

no it should be head gasket. i'm thinking my heynes had it in there. if you don't see it, go to "intake gasket".

i have manual 1982-1992 #24016 on top right of cover of book. go to page 2C-7. its actually step 2C-8. cylinder head removal. you will also have to go through the part ref intake removal. that is well stated in the book. hope this helps. like i said, never done this before either with my intake gasket. took me 8-9 hours in my driveway. $17 for both gaskets and 3 different shops wanted to charge me $500. insane. take your time. do it in 2 different days if need be. good luck.

 

A puff of white smoke on startup is valve seals...........white smoke while running may be a head gasket. Get it tested before your tear her apart. Im sure you havnt been tracking my posts, but my newly installed 350 is doing about the same thing as yours and Im still trying to track down the problem. Good luck.

 

You have been warned. YOU CAN DO IT. But have it looked at first. If you have any hesitation about trying it then doesn’t. This is not an easy job for some one with limited mechanical experience. And if you get stuck and have to take it too a shop they are going to charge you more becase its half way apart. Have it looked at first and then goes from there. If you need any thing just ask and if you’re close I will even come and help.

 

Alright thanks, I'm going to have it tested at a garage first and see what they think. If it is the head gasket, I'm willing to do it myself. I'm like 1 hour north of Milwaukee, Wisconsin... Sheboygan to be exact. Doubt your close enough if you live in NC. Thanks though

 

Dont forget to drain your coolant. I know this sounds stupid, but the first time I did a head gasket change ( YEARS AGO) I was young and still learning, by taking stuff apart. You can imagine how suprised I was when I started taking stuff off and cooant came from various bolt holes................