92silverrunner

Well im in the process of putting together my 3vze,had the block checked for warpage and there is none.But today when i went to to install the heads i noticed some pitting around the number six cylinder, on the gasket surface is there any cause for concern or should i have the deck resurfaced? sorry no pics till later camera not working.

92silverrunner

anybody?

TNRabbit

I would have it resurfaced regardless. I believe it's the main reason 3.0 head gaskets blow post-rebuild/HG replacements.

taikowaza

Ted Stanwood, AKA Engnbldr, who is (I would say) an authority on these matters, has this to say in regards to the 3vze:

"On machine work, by all means surface the heads, that is critical. There are always imperfections".

MudHippy

On the newer head gaskets the head surface is more important than the block mating surface. Where the head seals to the gasket is metal to metal, aluminum head surface to coated steel gasket surface. The block side of the gasket surface is just graphite, which doesn't require as smooth a surface to mate to. Both sides also share integral steel sealing rings around all the holes.

I'm right smack in the middle of putting new head gaskets on mine too. Second time in a year...long story. Anyway I had the heads resurfaced a year ago. Never have surfaced the block yet...and it don't exactly look pretty let me tell ya. BUT, the first gasket held just fine regardless. And I ain't gonna bother yankin' my engine block this time either.

I think you'll do fine without it, IMO.