01 Montana 3400 blown head gasket??

[SuperMidget]

i came across this site searching for information on changing a 3400 head gasket but even searching here i haven't found any steps telling how hard it is to change the head gaskets in these little snub nose vans, is it an afternoon job in the driveway or a weekend war with to many trips to the auto parts store?

[bszopi]

Welcome to the site. Here are a couple thread which may help some...

http://60degreev6.com/forum/showthread.php/47455-2005-Chevy-Equinox-3400-coolant-in-enine-oil

http://60degreev6.com/forum/showthread.php/35251-Chevy-Venture-Head-Gaskets

I just did mine in my Rendezvous about 2 months ago now, and having to work under the windshield definitely makes it harder. It took me basically a whole weekend, and I've worked on these engines for several years. Not to say it can't be done in a very long day, but its definitely more than an afternoon job. Are you looking to do it this weekend? I'd say look over the engine bay, and if you have questions, ask them here prior to starting. I'm sure one of us will be able to answer any questions you may have. I will also try to do a better search for you, as I know someone has posted within the last 6 months or so about do HGs on a van.

[SuperMidget]

thanks for the info, the van is actually my brother in laws work van and the few mechanics they took it to quoted between $550 - $700 to do it, he asked if i wanted to do it instead to make some side cash but its a hard vehicle to find much information on really

[02LS]

is the cam in the way of the head bolts on the 3400? i know in a sohc civic you just take off the valve cover, unbolt the head, pry it off, scrape the old gasket off the head and engine, put a new gasket in there, and call it a day. i know dohc cars have the cams sitting over the head bolts, making it a much longer wrench time.

[bszopi]

The cam in the 3400 is inside the block, no where near the heads. If it wasn't for the pushrods falling down, you could remove the cam without ever touching the heads.

[02LS]

The cam in the 3400 is inside the block, no where near the heads. If it wasn't for the pushrods falling down, you could remove the cam without ever touching the heads.

so im guessing the pushrods can fall out when changing a head gasket?

[pocket-rocket]

so im guessing the pushrods can fall out when changing a head gasket?

Yes, if you don't remove them before you pull the heads. I tend to loosen rocker arms and pull the pushrods one (leaving rocker arms on the head- less to install on reassembly, just retorque rocker arm bolts) by one and lay them in a tray keeping them in the order I remove them from. Exhaust and intake pushrods on 3x00 engines are different lengths, so putting one in the wrong spot means the heads will come back off so you can change the valve you just bent.

[Joseph Upson]

So you're sure this is a head gasket problem and not the infamous intake gasket leak some of these engines had.