I have a '97 Sierra with 600K, its a 305 Vortec. This truck has been gold for me. Regular maintenance with a few minor parts replaced (i.e. fuel pump, alternator, water pump, wheel bearings and such) is about all it's cost me over the past 8 yrs, I purchased it used with about 60K. Recently, I noticed my coolant level dropping. I've checked my oil, no problem signs there. I've laid down some cardboard underneath to try get an idea of where it's leaking from, no signs. I'm pretty certain it's a head gasket as I've noticed my exhaust blowing white smoke through and the exhaust also smells like my coolant. I've never had to do any major work on my engine but it seems pretty straight forward to get the top end off so I can change the head gaskets. Do I need to keep an eye out for anything other than making sure I mark my distrubutor? I'll mark all my plug wires so I don't cross anything when it comes time to put it back together. The exhaust manifold looks like it will be fun [:'(], hope I don't break anything there. As this is the first major work I've had to do on my motor, do I take a stab at it or should I just take it into the shop? Maybe I'm lookin for moral support more than anything, but if there are any other things I'm not considering I'd appreciate the feedback. Thanks in advance.

 

tuff call...its not rocket science,but it will take some tools..

the dist has to be set back by a scanner,not a timing lite.

torque the heaads properly,don't skimp on that step

get the heads checked for cracks...nothing worse than putting her together and still having the problem

 

my 97 350 had the same problem. so we pulled it down and found it to be the intake gasket leaking on the pass side in the back. the top part of your intake is plastic so be carefull when re installing it also another problem these trucks had was the little tube on the intake where the hose from the heater core goes in would rust and leak coolant on to the intake and wouldnt run downunder the truck it would jut stay up top