94 iron head 3.4, blown headgasket or LIM gasket?

[zoideraserb]

It overheats, loses power when it does. Has oil in coolant but not coolant in oil. White smoke, and burning coolant smell. I'm towards the hg being at fault but a buddy of mine said it would be the LIM gasket. Eitherway it needs a complete rebuild. Whilst overheated it started knocking. great huh? So top and bottom end rebuilds are in my future most likely. Anyone have any suggestions or anything i should do while im in there? I plan on all new rod clevite rod bearings, and felpro gaskets. i might try to get a crane 272 (i think thats what it is) cam and put in. I've never done a cam before though so i'm iffy as to if i want to or not. i would really appreciate some advice from the 660 pros out there. And also i haven't got to look since my car is 20-25 miles away but can i get the oil pan off without pulling the motor to get to the rod bearings?

Edit: its a 94 camaro btw

[geoffinbc]

It is not easy to get the pan off with the motor in the car. You have to raise the motor up to do it. Not really worth it.

The cam swap is almost a must. It will really wake the motor up. The 272 cam is a little hot for an otherwise stock motor. Consider the 260 cam for a daily driven vehicle.

[ForcedFirebird]

I have had the oil pan out of my 3rd gen fbody two or three times. It takes a couple of hours, but the clearance you have in a 4th gen is going to make it a little more difficult.

Take the y-pipe off, pull the bolts out of the motor mount and jack it up. Mine - the bellhosing hit the firewall before the distributor did, but you will have to make the judjement call since you don't have a distributor, and the firewall is a bit tighter. Worst that can happen is you can't get the pan off, and drop/pull the motor that has to be done anyways.

I also think the 272 is a big step for a stock motor, you will have trouble with the stock OBD1.5 tune with it. 252 or 262 (250 or 260 depending on mfgr) would be better.

[zoideraserb]

what are the specs on that cam as far as lift and duration? if u happen to know. Also i don't have any way of as now to pull the motor so it looks like the motor mounts are coming loose and its getting jacked up some how to get the pan off. I just want it together and running where it won't screw up even more untill summer.

SO would i be ok with just doing the hg's and putting rod bearings in (assuming that the crank journals aren't tore up)?

[gpse3400]

Providing you didnt spin a rod or main bearing, I'd get a reman crank and bearings like you had in mind and put it all back together.The cam bearing should be ok providing you didnt drive the car long in overheat and with any coolant in the oil..

[merlot566jka]

check out city motor supply in texas. the built my last 3.4 and did a damn good job. shipping was realitivly low. and price is great....