When you all replace the head gaskets, what brand do you recommend? I can't figure out if the intake manifold is causing water lose or the head gasket, but if I am going to take the intake off, might as well get the head gaskets as well. Going to do this with the engine in the car so I might as well stock up on bandaides. Upper Intake manifold is about 3 months old but it was the first time I replaced one. I could have messed it up or not torqued it properly but since it is new, I'm leaning towards head gaskets. My son is wanting me to just pour steel seal in it and let him keep driving it but that sounds like snake oil to me.

 

I would get a headgasket kit from felpro. They usually include all the gaskets you'll need to do the job, fair quality stuff too. The headbolts are torque to yield, so you'll need to go to the dealership and get another set, or order the arp head stud kit that zz performance has (not tty, and reusable). The rocker bolts are also tty, so you'll need those. The rest I wouldn't worry about replacing.

 

Also, if you're pulling the heads off, might as well have them resurfaced, get a valve job, and new seals. Preventative maintenance in my book.

 

valve job? You dirty boy..lol while were on the topic how much would an undertaking like this cost after its all said and do e?

 

That's a tough one to guess, the cost will vary depending on the machine shop you go to. Out here, I got a price from one shop for ~400, and another for ~280. Just gotta call around and ask for a price to have the heads rebuilt (should include magnaflux to check for cracks, cleaning, soft plugs, valve job, resurface, check guides)