As some of you may know I have been doing as much Camaro shopping from Iraq as I can. I have found one in particular ('97 Z28) that I really like. It is located 30 miles from the house I will be staying in when I take leave; anyhow my point is this: The car has some mods on it, nothing extreme but the header gaskets are currently leaking, I do know how badly but I will find out as soon I can and certainly before I agree to buy the car. Now for the question: How tough a job is it to change the header gaskets on an LT1?

Mods list follows for those who are curious:

Replaced the optispark (and ran the new MSD wires over the valve covers), installed a new water pump, and acdelco platinum plugs about a year ago. The clutch has been replaced about 7-8 months ago. Engine Upgrades: billet lightweight flywheel, Hooker Super Competition Shorty Headers, Flowmaster exhaust system, K&N Intake, Vortec polished intake elbow, MSD coil, Hypertech Tunning, 160 degree thermostat, Short shifter, Skip shift eliminator, and a underdrive crank pulley. Exterior Upgrades: Xenon Body kit, Sport wing, SS Hood, Chrome grill, Chrome SS badges, Corvette rims 17". Custom window tint. The car is also lowered about 1inch. Interior: SS floormats and A-beam mounted tripod of gauges: autometer phantom electric fuel pressure, oil temp and air to fuel ratio.

I am really excited about this car, I just hope it is in nearly the condition that the owner describes it to be in. I really will not know until I get to see it.

 

Its not that difficult: getting the headers in there in the first place can be a difficult job, but you just have to loosen them and move them back about an inch. It will be tight, cleaning them off well, etc., but its a job I'd do myself without worry that I'd screw it up. The question is what they are leaking. Some cheap headers have poor flanges and they leak around the gasket because of that.

Sounds like a good car, too. You ought to enjoy it.

 

That is pretty much what I figured. I was just a bit worried as I am used to working on vehicle with larger engine compartments. For the last year the only thing I have been working on is my hum-vee, prior to that the only vehicles I have worked on myself were my Bronco and my Jeep both of which had all kinds of engine room. Thanks.

 

As far as internet shopping goes I have decided that I am going to buy this car... Of course I will not make my final decision until I see and test drive it, but I am 98% positive that this will be the one. I figure that if the leak is not so bad I will wait until I get it back to KS and take care of it myself. If it is something I want to get done before driving the car from Massachusetts to Kansas there is always that mechanic in New Hamphshire who owes me a favor.

For those who are interested I have posted a few pics below. -JAK

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