so my 03 SS blew a head gasket friday. Got a buddy who works at oreily's, with his employee discount im looking at about 175 to replace fluids and all gaskets from the block up. I'm picking it all up on payday and gettin her running (hopefully) this weekend. Now here's the fun part in a month or so I'll be moving from Houston, TX to Atlanta, GA. Driving the whole way, was planning on slapping a little 10' trailer on the monte. With the head gasket blowing I'm starting to realize the amount of issues I have with it. Here goes the ist.

Both front wheels hubs are bad
Parking brake doesn't work
Random over heating issues
Harsh 1-2 shifts and hang ups
All 4 tires need to be replaced
Rear suspension showing some mean wear
Plenty of cosmetic issues but i don't mind those

Now with gaskets, tires, hubs, and a hitch, I'm looking at about 1400 to fix my baby. It's sitting right at 142k now so i know more issues are going to pop up, but once i get through most of em solved it should be good for a few more years. I'm really scared one of those issues are gonna pop up in the middle of my 16 hour drive to georgia.

I've been looking around for more reliable vehicles and maybe something where the engine is sitting the right way :-P. Right now im sitting between at 78 datsun 280z for 1000 that runs, just looks like poop, dont know the mileage on it yet. Theres also a 2000 GTP for 950 down the road that has a lot of cosmetic issues, 220k and it drives. As fun as a datsun sounds I'm far more familiar and comfortable with the W-body platform. At 950 I'm sure it has plenty of issues, I'll be taking it on a test drive with my buddy whos a mechanic so we should have a good idea of what im getting into then. First thing I'll be checking on it is the LIM and vacuums, those are the only common issues i know of on the L67. With 220k what kind of things should i be looking for?

Finally assuming once the monte is back together, and most repairs are handled(one of which im lost on). Whats the wiser choice between it and the GTP?

 

Given fixing your current car, buying a datsun or buying the GTP, fix your current car. I think you'd be setting yourself up for more problems buying an old datsun and a high mileage grand prix.

 

The datsun just sounds fun, I doubt I'm gonna really jump for it. I'm kind of hoping the GTP, is gonna have a folder of receipts for all the maintenance but i doubt I'll be that lucky. I'm not aware of many of the problems the 3800's face around 150k only things I've heard of are LIMs, UIMs, and coolant elbows. So getting to this age the cars future is cloudy and scary lol. I know the GTP probably wont be any better, but it comes with an M90 on it and saves me a lot of time lol.

 

First what confirmed the head gasket?

Second, let me run down you list:
Both front wheels hubs are bad - If you can do-it-yourself, I average an hour per wheel (rare exception), Timkens are about $100 a wheel.
Parking brake doesn't work - Not critical, I've driven many cars without working parking breaks. Heck when a car gets up in age, if the break was not used it's recommended NOT to mess with it. Throw this to the bottom of the list.
Random over heating issues - If you truly have blown head gaskets, odds are high between the head/lim/uim gaskets, this should go away (it could be a direct result of blown head gaskets). Also, while doing this service, inspect the UIM itself around the EGR stove pipe to ensure it does not have a leak.
Harsh 1-2 shifts and hang ups - Hard to say, you might want to have it looked at. You could also try a pan drop, fluid/filter change, see if this improves.
All 4 tires need to be replaced - Try looking for someone selling some used wheels with good tires, junk yard or just buy some new ones. Many options available.
Rear suspension showing some mean wear - That Datsun or Grand Prix are bound to run into this.

Basically, what I'm getting at, aside from the trans issue, to me, none of these sound like show stoppers.

If you are going to replace it, don't trade one set of problems for another. Make sure you are replacing it for something worth while that should give you many problem free miles.

I know you have a mechanic friend, but speaking as a guy that helped look at cars and has a reasonable eye for mechanical details, if the car was NOT maintained well, forget it, especially when it's getting beyond 10 years in age.

 

Lost all power driving home from work right as i got to the house, once it came to a stop i tried starting it again, solenoid and started sounded good, starter would go for about 1/4 sec and then sounded like it hit resistance. looked under the hood, smoke/steam coming from both valve cover gaskets, opened the oil cap and smoke/steam started coming out a fairly alarming rate. Let it cool down and started tearing into it. Oil seemed kind of thin but no muck. UIM is solidish for now, slight crack at the bolt in front of the TB everything else fine. LIM gasket was fine, it was replaced about 2 years ago along with the water pump and elbows. Front set of cylinders were dry, didnt want to drop the DP for the back head so i pulled the plugs and it cranked by hand, plug was wet and had some coolant in the center cylinder. I havent pulled the back head so I am assuming a head gasket, i doubt i cracked or warped the head itself.

I replaced the 2 back hubs last month with timkens, thought that was gonna be the end of the noise Parking brake didnt bother me too much before, but the area I'm moving too is kind of hilly, and i dont want to stress the tranny too much with it already giving me trouble but then again i dont really know anything about transmissions. I've been using nothing but used tires for the past 3 or 4 years now and its time for a fresh set, I feel the different treads and sizes due to wear is what killed my hubs. Oh and i had the tranny brifly looked at a few months ago and talked with the tech for awhile we're both leaning towards a leaky drum.

I know it might sound like I'm looking for excuses to get rid of the monte but its definitely not the case, i love my baby. Just throwing all of this out here so you guys can give me some knowledge and advice.

 

I know it's Hard. And everyone who has reed a post from me know I know its Hard, frustrating and a pain in the Leather Seat. I bought my 02 SS APR 12 2012, and I been fixing her ever since. To date I've done almost all the sensors, batt, belt, air filter, fuel filter, cat, 4 rims, 4 tires, 4 struts, cleaned the TB, removedthe stank, stereo system, re-bolted the dash and missed a couple of bolts! I still have to re-wire the TPS, AND replace the transmission. I KNOW it's Hard.
But in the end, when you hear her Purr, and know that with the helpful information from your friends here on MCF, the friends that get down and dirty with you on a repair and by Your Own Hands she's the best car you've ever owned, Your Monte, Your Beauty, Your Baby, and you Love her!!!!!

 

Can you post some pictures of your Monte? If the price is right I might be interested in taking it off your hands.

 

Moving words sir! Now you have me tempted to buy the GTP and use it for a top swap to bring my monte back stronger than ever! All the maintenance ive had to do in the last six months has me a little scared i guess, but ill have my tool box with me for the trip and im gonna get her there. I might have to part with it someday but it wont be anytime soon.

Now some more questions. Once i get it all back together, im hoping the heating issues go away, if not first thing is gonna be to replace the UIM, well see what happens after that. I wanna make sure the monte can make the trip and ive heard that with a shift kit and a big trans cooler the harsh shifts and hang ups should go away while slightly shortening the trannys life. Would those be worthwhile or should i hold off until i can rebuild it? Next issue is the suspension, its a tad squeaky and ive fot a lot of bounce ib the back, coating is coming off of the springs. Im looking at the drop in kit from ZZP with the adjustable struts, again is it worth it or should i hold off until its a real problem?

 

The coating hasn't been on my rear springs on my Monte since I bought it.

The tranny jerking could be fluid, solenoids, or the tranny starting to fail.

If you have stock wheels you can get 4 new tires for like 300-350 bucks.

I would say get an L67 and 4t65ehd tranny to put in there as opposed to doing a topswap. Then replace the solenoids before you drop everything in. The bad head gasket could've damaged the block (and heads if you just want to do a regular top end rebuild).

Good luck.

 

I would say Please don't call me Sir, I work for a living! But having been to Texas a few time, I understand well the manners you folks have, so it's Kowl.
I agree with Nitehawk, if the GTP has a good motor and Trans, swap them, and use your Monte motor for parts. Do any Rebuilding, engine or Trans. While the motor is out of the car.
The coating on your springs is just for looks. If your rear is bouncing too much or if the rear seems to skip when you hit a bump around a turn, then replace your struts.
And try to do most of the work yourself. The $$$ you save can be invested into body work and painting.
It will be frustrating, Bloody knuckles and all, But the pride you'll have when your done will be Unmatched! You will be the car and the car will be You! It's all worth it in the end. Right MCF?