I have a 1987 county with a 3.5 L V8 with LT85 transmission. I've had this vehicle for a few years now. I simply love it.
The odometer is showing 300k km. I'm confident this is the original engine but unsure of any prior major engine work, like head gaskets, cam etc. When I changed in the intake manifold a few years ago the cam was showing some wear. I've put lots of miles on it since.
Well, yesterday I was checking the oil and its milky. Looks like I've got a head gasket leak. My radiator is not a dual use version (it's only coolant).
At the minimum it appears I must perform a head gasket job. However given the age of the vehicle and unknown engine internals along with inherit lack luster performance of a stock 3.5L v8 I was thinking of the following 3 options:
The odometer is showing 300k km. I'm confident this is the original engine but unsure of any prior major engine work, like head gaskets, cam etc. When I changed in the intake manifold a few years ago the cam was showing some wear. I've put lots of miles on it since.
Well, yesterday I was checking the oil and its milky. Looks like I've got a head gasket leak. My radiator is not a dual use version (it's only coolant).
At the minimum it appears I must perform a head gasket job. However given the age of the vehicle and unknown engine internals along with inherit lack luster performance of a stock 3.5L v8 I was thinking of the following 3 options:
- Option 1. full Rebuild of current 3.5L V8, upgrade camshaft to crower, isky or kent. interested only in modest torque / power increase.
- Option 2. Replace 3.5L v8 with 4.2 or 4.6L V8. NO EFI. Transfer all required components from 3.5L v8 to new engine to keep mechanical / distributor based.
- Option 3 Replace 3.5 L V8 with straight 6 Chevy 250 or Chevy 292. again no EFI. Also requires me to change transmission and tunnel.