Cost to replace a head gasket on a 250? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Stock72c10 · 01-29-2009, 03:49 PM

I have been having a terrible time trying to track down a bad oil leak on the passenger side of my inline 250. I have replaced the side covers/side cover gasket, valve cover gasket and still it leaks. I now think the leak is coming from the cylinder head gasket. A local guy estimated it will cost $500-600 for him to replace it. Does that sound reasonable? How much more should I spend to have him just rebuild it while he has it torn down (bored out .030" over?). Your opinions are appreciated. I am planning on dropping it off after work tonight for him to look at it to be sure it is the head gasket.

Tx Firefighter · 01-29-2009, 03:54 PM

On an inline 6 like that, I get 100 dollars labor plus the gasket. Figure 150 total including new antifreeze.

It's a 2 hour job if you work at it.

tim21391 · 01-29-2009, 04:05 PM

i replaced head gaskets on my dads 67 mustang that has a 302 in it...it took me 8 hours to complete the task... it was my first time doing all that so thats why it took so long to clean up the old gaskets and such.. but the head gaskets, intake gaskets, and valve cover gaskets and adhesive cost me around 40 bucks...

Wrenchbender Ret · 01-29-2009, 06:47 PM

Its highly unlikely to be leaking oil out the head gasket on that engine. Wash it down real good & run the engine while you watch where its leaking. That price sounds high but it would be hard to find someone to do it as cheap as TX. I beieve the flat rate is about 4 hours. Most shops are getting $50-$75 an hour now.

68gmsee · 01-29-2009, 06:52 PM

If you have any mechanical ability, they're fairly easy to replace providing you also have the proper tools.

As far as cost, $500-$600 sounds sorta high for just replacing the head gasket. Now if he was going to include a valve job and reworking the guides etc. then it would be somewhat more acceptable.

I had a complete head rework done about 10 years ago for $150. I also had the engine rebored and with parts and all it came to about $350. However, I took the engine to the guy already out of the truck.

Tx Firefighter · 01-29-2009, 07:50 PM

On an inline 6, all you have to do is unplug the plug wires, unbolt the exhaust flange, drain the coolant, and disconnect all carb stuff.

You don't even have to disturb the intake/ exhaust manifold gaskets, reset the timing or any of that foolishness.

It really is a 2 hour job. Nothing like a V8 with distributor and intake manifold fiddling.

**mr48chev** · 01-29-2009, 08:05 PM

Most good mechanics won't take much over two hours to swap a head gasket in this engine if they have the tools that help speed up the job. As TX Firefighter said you can lift the whole assembly off and save a lot of time. It helps to have a cherry picker to help lift it though.
You might try re torquing the head and see if that helps before pulling it off.

Elephanthead · 01-29-2009, 10:56 PM

That price is high, the dealer would probably be cheaper. I did this when I was 14, it is not that bad of a job, but I am not sure that is your leak problem.

Stock72c10 · 02-03-2009, 11:02 AM

Turns out it wasn't the head gasket but was actually the diaphragm on the fuel pump was worn out and causing the leak at high RPM's. Never would have guessed the fuel pump would cause an oil leak. I guess I learn something new every day

68gmsee · 02-03-2009, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stock72c10

Turns out it wasn't the head gasket but was actually the diaphragm on the fuel pump was worn out and causing the leak at high RPM's. Never would have guessed the fuel pump would cause an oil leak. I guess I learn something new every day

Just curious: How did the oil get from the fuel pump to the lifter covers or head? Was it blown up there?

If there was oil coming out of the fuel pump it seems it should have been very obvious. From my experience, fuel pumps don't function very well when the diaphragm is leaking.

Stock72c10 · 02-03-2009, 12:24 PM

I was told the fuel pump has a hole drilled in the side of it that allows the diaphragm to "breath." When the pump spindle seal wore out the engine oil leaked from this hole and the fan blew it back over the passenger side of the engine and all over the firewall. It only leaked at very high RPM's and not at idle, so all I ever saw was oil dripping off all over the passenger side of the engine. I should have the new pump in Thursday, so I guess we will see.

68gmsee · 02-03-2009, 02:58 PM

Wow! No wonder you weren't able to detect it. That's one I've never seen before. Thanks for posting the solution.

01-29-2009, 03:49 PM	#1
Stock72c10 classic=of recognized value Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 317	Cost to replace a head gasket on a 250? I have been having a terrible time trying to track down a bad oil leak on the passenger side of my inline 250. I have replaced the side covers/side cover gasket, valve cover gasket and still it leaks. I now think the leak is coming from the cylinder head gasket. A local guy estimated it will cost $500-600 for him to replace it. Does that sound reasonable? How much more should I spend to have him just rebuild it while he has it torn down (bored out .030" over?). Your opinions are appreciated. I am planning on dropping it off after work tonight for him to look at it to be sure it is the head gasket.

01-29-2009, 03:54 PM	#2
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Re: Cost to replace a head gasket on a 250? On an inline 6 like that, I get 100 dollars labor plus the gasket. Figure 150 total including new antifreeze. It's a 2 hour job if you work at it. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

01-29-2009, 04:05 PM	#3
tim21391 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Salina, Kansas Posts: 1,998	Re: Cost to replace a head gasket on a 250? i replaced head gaskets on my dads 67 mustang that has a 302 in it...it took me 8 hours to complete the task... it was my first time doing all that so thats why it took so long to clean up the old gaskets and such.. but the head gaskets, intake gaskets, and valve cover gaskets and adhesive cost me around 40 bucks... __________________ 1972 C-10...402/400..flowmaster 40 series 1967 Mustang 347 stroker/C-4 1966 Mustang 289/3-speed 2013 Mustang V6/6speed w/300 ponies I may be 23, but i sure do knows 67-72s are sexy! Its not MPG its smiles per gallon! build started 11/25/08 build thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=2993796

01-29-2009, 06:47 PM	#4
Wrenchbender Ret Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Overland Park, Ks. Posts: 5,229	Re: Cost to replace a head gasket on a 250? Its highly unlikely to be leaking oil out the head gasket on that engine. Wash it down real good & run the engine while you watch where its leaking. That price sounds high but it would be hard to find someone to do it as cheap as TX. I beieve the flat rate is about 4 hours. Most shops are getting $50-$75 an hour now.

01-29-2009, 06:52 PM	#5
68gmsee Active Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area. Posts: 7,947	Re: Cost to replace a head gasket on a 250? If you have any mechanical ability, they're fairly easy to replace providing you also have the proper tools. As far as cost, $500-$600 sounds sorta high for just replacing the head gasket. Now if he was going to include a valve job and reworking the guides etc. then it would be somewhat more acceptable. I had a complete head rework done about 10 years ago for $150. I also had the engine rebored and with parts and all it came to about $350. However, I took the engine to the guy already out of the truck.

01-29-2009, 07:50 PM	#6
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Re: Cost to replace a head gasket on a 250? On an inline 6, all you have to do is unplug the plug wires, unbolt the exhaust flange, drain the coolant, and disconnect all carb stuff. You don't even have to disturb the intake/ exhaust manifold gaskets, reset the timing or any of that foolishness. It really is a 2 hour job. Nothing like a V8 with distributor and intake manifold fiddling. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

01-29-2009, 08:05 PM	#7
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,744	Re: Cost to replace a head gasket on a 250? Most good mechanics won't take much over two hours to swap a head gasket in this engine if they have the tools that help speed up the job. As TX Firefighter said you can lift the whole assembly off and save a lot of time. It helps to have a cherry picker to help lift it though. You might try re torquing the head and see if that helps before pulling it off.

01-29-2009, 10:56 PM	#8
Elephanthead Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Carmel, IN Posts: 187	Re: Cost to replace a head gasket on a 250? That price is high, the dealer would probably be cheaper. I did this when I was 14, it is not that bad of a job, but I am not sure that is your leak problem.

02-03-2009, 11:02 AM	#9
Stock72c10 classic=of recognized value Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 317	Re: Cost to replace a head gasket on a 250? Turns out it wasn't the head gasket but was actually the diaphragm on the fuel pump was worn out and causing the leak at high RPM's. Never would have guessed the fuel pump would cause an oil leak. I guess I learn something new every day

02-03-2009, 12:24 PM	#11
Stock72c10 classic=of recognized value Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 317	Re: Cost to replace a head gasket on a 250? I was told the fuel pump has a hole drilled in the side of it that allows the diaphragm to "breath." When the pump spindle seal wore out the engine oil leaked from this hole and the fan blew it back over the passenger side of the engine and all over the firewall. It only leaked at very high RPM's and not at idle, so all I ever saw was oil dripping off all over the passenger side of the engine. I should have the new pump in Thursday, so I guess we will see.

02-03-2009, 02:58 PM	#12
68gmsee Active Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area. Posts: 7,947	Re: Cost to replace a head gasket on a 250? Wow! No wonder you weren't able to detect it. That's one I've never seen before. Thanks for posting the solution.

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