Hello, first post here. Ive been lurking since 2020 when I got my 92. Have since done a solid axle swap, chevy 63" swap, regeared diffs, etc (im a fabricator more than a mechanic). Now, for the last few months ive been loosing coolant. I have no cat, so you can very much smell it burning out. Have been religiously checking the cap and dipstick, oil wasnt mixing up until recently. Even now, its minimal as you can see it on the oil cap but the dipstick looks clean. Radiator has what looks like rusty mud on the cap, but coolant itself isnt awful looking (probably because I keep adding new stuff. Now during this time not once did my engine overheat. In fact, during my entire time owning it its only ever hit the 3/4 temp gauge mark one time, when i was driving a steep grade at 3800 rpm for 30 mins. My question is, how likely is it that my heads are warped? This engine is tired, and is used mostly offroad. I have a 3.4 im rebuilding atm to throw in, so i dont need it to last forever. Do you guys think i can get like 15-25k miles (1-2yr) if i just slap a gasket/seal kit on with some new arp head studs? I know my valves could probably use an adjustment, but i dont really fork over cash for shims and all that for an engine i plan to take out in 2025. (Pic for substance😂**)

 

Sorry for the length, just skip to the end for my question hahaha.

 

I'd spend a few bucks on valve shims before I'd spring for the head studs.
You might be surprised how well it'll run, and for how long, if you do a decent job on the heads and gasket work.

 

Well ive had the head studs around for a while, just hadn't used them. I honestly should just shell out for some shims. My concern was more with the can i get away without taking my heads to a shop to be machined question. Because i already am doing a rebuild on a 3.4 lol, but dont have time to finish that and do a swap atm.

 

Unless the heads are warped I don't see the need for a machine shop. Just clean up the mating surfaces well.
Unless the valves have never been adjusted you'll most likely find you can bounce the shims around and end up only needing to buy a few.

 

I havent started yet as I had to finish my garage insulation lol. I cant imagine they are that warped if at all, but i have never touched the valves. They do sound like they have a little exhaust tick though. I dont have a good machine shop around me that isnt booked up and giving ˟˟˟˟ off prices. Yota1 performance reman heads seem to be my best bet if thats the case.