HI! just want some suggestions!!

[oregonjoe]

I'm in the middle of a rebuild and I have to say taking the block out and having a shop shave the block and heads is the way to go. After years of slow leaking HG - it will eat away at the block surface making it very difficult to get it cleaned enough for another gasket to seal. The pitting and corrosion leaves defects that need to machined out.

Since the shop can do this with the block out, you can easily go to Metal HG and save the worry. Also, if it has been leaking awhile – you will want to do a bottom end rebuild just to get the new bearings and rings in. My crank and block checked out OK so it was $200 for the ring/bearing kit plus the $150 in shop costs to clean and shave the block and flywheel.

I too have debated on stock or metal HG but the cost difference is $50 out of $1200 so if the block is out anyway – might as well do it right. The $1200 I’m into it now is $500 in shop costs and $700 in parts but it is a complete engine rebuild with new clutch