[Graham10]

Ok need some help fellas ive got a 04 Tahoe awd 5.3 just found out ive got the castech heads and they have a crack in them. dealership cost to repair and buy two brand new heads and button back up around $3000 or so. Should I just get some aftermarket heads or maybe 243's is what ive seen on here are a good option and put a cam in it? or just go back stock? I would love more power but I don't want to lose a lot of mpg's at the same time and I know if you increase hp you gonna lose mpg correct? Also if I put heads and a cam on it do I need to go ahead put headers on it too? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[GREENSIERRA]

you can buy a nice set of heads and do it yourself for a lot cheaper then that

 

[98bluedime]

Yup that's what I did. I got used heads, had a machine shop clean them up and check them over. Then bought new head gaskets and head studs and did it my self. I think I have just over $500 in parts and I did all the work myself over a weekend. I did new plugs and wires while I was in there and that's included in the 500. It's not very hard but time consuming to move all the shit out of the way to get to the heads. I found a thread online that was step by step that I could send to you.


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[Graham10]

Oh wow nice! Yes please do that would be awesome! Thanks for the advice guys

 

[2005_Silverado]

youd want to get those 243s shaved .030" if you want to run them...otherwise theyll drop ur compression.

 

[Graham10]

Oh ok gotcha.. I didn't know that I just saw were bgerald had metioned something about them in another thread. Thanks for the info

 

[98bluedime]

http://www.hotrodlane.cc/New LS Links Page/ls48-57headReplacement.htm

I used this link. I found a good set of used 862 heads and I have had no issues. I then bought head gaskets and studs from advanced auto parts if you have one of them close. They ordered the parts and I picked them up a couple of hours later. Also I bought two exhaust manifold stud bolts from napa due to breaking two off in the old heads. I reused the exhaust manifold gaskets. It's not hard just take your time. It takes awhile to get the intake manifold off and to get all the wiring out of the way. Disconnecting the fuel line was a pain but I've never done it before so it could of been user error. If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask. I wish I would of took pictures along the way but I was too lazy.


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[GREENSIERRA]

pulling the heads really isn't hard at all.
intake is a 10min job to remove. get the fuel line tool.
get new gaskets and head bolts.
make sure you clean the block really well and get all the head bolt holes nice and clean

 

[DUK713]

pulling the heads really isn't hard at all.
intake is a 10min job to remove. get the fuel line tool.
get new gaskets and head bolts.
make sure you clean the block really well and get all the head bolt holes nice and clean

This. You can get thread chasers for the bolt holes to make sure they are nice and clean. Also make sure you torque them down in the proper steps/sequence to the proper pounds. Also as said before make sure the mating surface is clean on both the block and heads.

 

[2005_Silverado]

i think these bolts are torqued to degrees, not pounds.

 

[Graystone]

This. You can get thread chasers for the bolt holes to make sure they are nice and clean. Also make sure you torque them down in the proper steps/sequence to the proper pounds. Also as said before make sure the mating surface is clean on both the block and heads.

Or just take an old head bolt and cut a groove in it. Pretty much free to clean them that way

 

[Graham10]

Thanks for all the tips and tricks guys!!

 

[GREENSIERRA]

cutting a groove in a old bolts works perfect.
the bolts are torque to yield so you have to torque them to a certain amount then put a line on them and degree them. you can find it all out online fairly easy