Blowing head gaskets

CARLOSALVI2

MEMBER
1989 CHEVROLET CHEYENNE
5.7L
V8
4WD
AUTOMATIC
2,000 MILES

I blew a head gasket in my 2500 3 or 4 years ago. Had the block resurfaced and gaskets replaced. Truck seemed to not run as good after that.
A little over a years later, it blew the gaskets again.
Had a rebuilt crate motor put in the truck about six months ago. Within 800 miles, it blew another head gasket. Engine is under warranty, so got head gaskets replaced. Less than 1,000 miles, blew the head gaskets again.
My question is, if it is doing the same thing with 2 different engines, could this be an electrical issue or sensory? It seems to me that it must be coming from something outside the engine, but I'm no mechanic.

Any feedback is appreciated.

2 Replies

SCGRANTURISMO

MECHANIC
4,897 POSTS

Hello,

This is either a case of bad luck, with the rebuilt crate motor, or, excuse me for saying this, maybe a change in driving habit. The 350 C.I.D. Engine is a staple for General Motors for many years, being used in many applications and has been proven to be a rock solid designed engine. It is probably just bad luck. Personally I have bought a 3.0L factory crate engine from Ford for a Ranger pickup, had it installed at a Ford dealership, and made it 100 miles before there was a oiling problem and the oil wasn't reaching the valve-train. I had to have the whole engine replaced, under warranty of course. So, my point being, it happens. The 5.7L(350 C.I.D) engine is a rock solid engine, and I wouldn't worry to much about this, it sounds like a snake bite to me.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros