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Old April 8th, 2014, 07:59 AM
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Default Re: Blown head gasket vs. cracked block

Did you discover something that makes you think the rebuild is needed? If possible maybe ask a knowledgeable friend or the shop to let you know if the head is usable, as is, first. If the answer is no, then chances are the bottom end needs rings and bearings and maybe cam and lifters.
The reason you rebuild your head is because the valve train is overly worn. But in your case you are also trying to eliminate the possibility of a cracked head so DO NOT let the shop rebuild your head without doing magnaflux testing first. If you had any reason to think there could be a crack in any part of the head or block then the mag test is the first thing you do.
Its been said that you should do the head rebuild and not the bottom end, but I think that this is only valid if you are really on a limited budget. We have all done that at some point before however if you have the money you may as well refresh the engine top to bottom. If budget is a concern you can always do the head this year and the bottom end next year, you will just need and other head gasket.
Do you have the engine apart now? What have you found? How many miles on it?
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