Vortec L31 cylinder head
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* 1996-1999 Chevrolet Tahoe/GMC Yukon full-size short wheelbase SUVs | * 1996-1999 Chevrolet Tahoe/GMC Yukon full-size short wheelbase SUVs | ||
* 1999-2000 Cadillac Escalade | * 1999-2000 Cadillac Escalade | ||
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| + | ==How to find good used heads== | ||
| + | Vortec heads have gotten a reputation for cracking easily. The truth is they do not crack any more than ANY modern lightweight production head. | ||
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| + | ===Junkyard heads=== | ||
| + | When buying Vortec heads from junkyards (or '''''any''''' head for that matter), the chances increase that the heads will be cracked. There are ways to tip the odds in your favor, though. | ||
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| + | To find heads that have a better than average chance of being uncracked, look for: | ||
| + | *heads from a wrecked vehicle. These stand an excellent chance of being good, as long as the other things listed here pass inspection. | ||
| + | *engines that do '''not''' have the thermostat removed. A missing thermostat is an indication the engine was running hot. | ||
| + | *engines that still have antifreeze in them. Engines with straight water, or without any coolant showing, may well have been losing coolant. No one replaces leaking coolant with antifreeze- they will use straight water "until I fix it". By then, it's often too late. | ||
| + | *engines with water in the oil or oil in the water. This is a sure sign of a blown head gasket or cracked casting, either of which can lead to overheating and cracked heads. | ||
| + | *Look for engines that do not have evidence of stop leak in the radiator/cooling system. If it has stop leak, it was leaking. If it was leaking there's too big of a chance it overheated and cracked the heads. | ||
| + | **Signs of stop leak use is a sludgy or copper/silver colored metallic accumulation inside the radiator fill neck, the same thing under the radiator cap, and possibly even in the overflow tank. | ||
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| + | ===Online or other "sight unseen" sources=== | ||
| + | '''Not recommended''' if from a private seller, especially true if shipping is involved. The cost for shipping a hundred pounds of cast iron across any distance is too high to warrant such a purchase. Very few people sells GOOD Vortec heads online. They're too easy to sell locally. | ||
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| + | Buying from a reputable volume/commercial seller might not be as big a risk, but research them fully and carefully before pulling the trigger. And remember, the shipping is on YOU unless otherwise stated in writing by the seller. | ||
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| + | ===Local private sellers=== | ||
| + | This ''can'' be a good way to get heads. But the provision that they pass inspection BEFORE cash is exchanged should be insisted upon. | ||
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| + | Speak to a machine shop beforehand to find out the details (can they inspect adequately with the heads assembled, or do they need to be apart? Does the inspection require being fully cleaned before inspection? How long will this take? How much does it all cost?) '''before''' contacting a prospective seller so you can lay out the plans to them. Don't expect the seller to pay for all or part of the inspection- if they fail, consider that as one of the costs involved with using used heads. | ||
==Vortec L31 5.7L head ID== | ==Vortec L31 5.7L head ID== | ||
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