I have a 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD. It has 178000 miles on it's 6.0 engine. i have an oil leak and i thank it is the head gaskets. so my question is how far would you take it down and what all would you replace other than gaskets?.

thanks for the input
Jeremy

 

Well if your taking it down for headgaskets I would change both head gaskets. Along the way new intake gaskets, spark plugs, timing chain replace the seal in the front cover. If its tore down that far no reason why not take it down as far as I have described. DOing this it will make the truck ready for another 200,000. Oh one last thing the oil pump is driven off the camshaft so i might put an oil pump in it as well. JUst my thoughts hope it helps.

 

well, when you have heads off, remove oil pan, and drop pistons down through the opening. marked and in same order/direction, of course. now, you can replace piston rings and tierod bearings. now, THAT will take it next 200K miles for sure, as you, pretty much, overhauled engine. of course, with heads off, smart it is to give them to a shop to resurface at least, sanblast CCs, and, if you want to DIY, check out valves and replace them if necessary. definitely replace valve stem seals.
NOW WE ARE TALKING! that's a new engine, mate.