What would be easier or the best choice? Remove the cylinder head now/buy a new head, have the head work done, firering or o-ring job NOW. OR wait til the time comes when I blow a headgasket, THEN remove the head, have the head work done, fire or o-ring, headgasket, and head studs?

 

With a blown head gasket, I would expect the risk of not knowing about it till the next morning when I go to turn it over, only to hear the >thunk< of a connecting rod hitting the block (hydraulicked). Least that's how mess works at my house.


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IMO ~ If you can afford it, and have the time, and fully expect to run with 45<psig boost/radical timing/etc. Then I'd go for it. And do it all while I'm in there.

Buy a new head? If it could pass a magnaflux test, I'd stick with the seasoned head. (Baking it @ 500*F for eight hours, debur, shotpeen, then mill all the important surfaces, porting, etc of course).

 

I wouldnt worry about it until you have a problem. I have a ported and o-ringed head sitting on the shop floor, but I'm not gonna bother with it until I lose the headgasket. Saw the boost gague sneak past 60psi the other night so I might be doing the job sooner than later.

 

Wouldn't a planned upgrade be better than an unplanned repair? Is this your daily driver?

 

DO IT. (ala starsky and hutch)

 

Yes my daily driver. I could drive the 4 door if I wanted/needed to have the 89 down for a few weekends.

 

I heard its not the best thing to wait until you NEED to do it and is much better to just do it when you can.
Heres a qoute I got from somebody "It's up to you but after seeing many with blown gaskets I would do it before it blows. Less risk to the head. They only removed 4 thousands from mine. Plus it's a whole lot cleaner." and heres a qoute from someone who's buddy's truck blew a head gasket "Not hardly any oil left when it was over. I got there the next day to pick it up and there was still oil dripping of the RH rear mudflap." hope this helps you decide what you want to do. I originally started with the same idea as you but I think i might take it off while its still in good health and do it not when it happens unexpectedly.

 

I would be a little nervous about waiting just for the HG to go, the reason for this is it will prolly not happend when you are close to home. And with it blowing out there is a chance of water in the oil, leaving you stranded with a big mess. Since you have something else to drive i think i would do it while everything is OK to avoid the risk of a blown head gasket turning to a big mess and tow bill. But on the other hand it might blow then you be albe to limp it home. I dont think it is worth the risk of waiting