the Brain

the dipstick only had a drop of what appears to be oil.

will drain some oil and inspect.

I have been informed vortec heads are prone to cracking due to lack of clamplng force in middle of head.

I don't think I can blame dexcool for ruining metal head gaskets.

if there is just a little coolant in oil mite just reassemble and she how she runs maybe shes good for a few 100 miles or a few thousand.

seams the van body is so close to head bolts I won't have enough patients to pull head.

StanVan

But you're so close. And new heads are much cheaper than a new motor.

the Brain

I may procede

StanVan

If only in spirit, we're with ya. I don't know where you are, or maybe we'd be there physically.

Johnny54

mountainmanjoe

So when you took the heads off, there weren't two shorter bolts?

the Brain

I've installed new mannie gasket have mannie bolts snug except the last dreaded bolt under AC bracket.

can't exactly remember where everything goes back anyone w/ image of assembled vortec in a express.

been looking closely at cylinder heads and it appears the heads can actualley be removed w/ engine in van.

so if the mannie gaskets arent the solution I'll attempt the head gasket the missfire was on pass. side head are cracks in heads usalley visable?

the Brain

I have installed mannie and reconnected all wires ect. engine turns over but wont crank.

I think I may have messed up the distribter any tips on lining up the shaft, I did mark the dis.cap & mannie

I've tryed to turn the oil pump w/ screwdriver however I dont think I and turning correctly it feels like it revert like theres tension on oil pump shaft.

also when I look down the hole its covered w/ oil does oil need to be drained?