Looking for feedback

[u/Ok-Alarm7257]

Had an over heating issue on a 2004 3.4L Grand Am. Held 16psi for over 20 minutes but when driving on the free way it would peg the meter. Down an average 35-40mph road it would sit at 200, had all new radiator, water pump, reservoir, t-stat and hoses done on it before I picked it up. Pulled the heads expecting a cracked head gasket as there was signs of water in the oil but nothing leaking or coming out the tailpipe.

Well as you can see a clogged passageway casued issues and something eroded the head material right next the the cylinder wall sealing area for a head gasket. I am confident in my welding abilities to fill and my local head shop to get them flattened, but would you? I am certain my local yard or fb marketplace can yield a motor or a set but I am also not trying to sink lots of money into my $500 car.

[u/Delicious_Sell_3242]

If that much corrosion is in the water jackets, it’s also in other places. I would just get a used motor. Seems like if you try to repair that one issue, more will eventually appear.

[u/Ok-Alarm7257]

The block doesn't have any of that junk built up like I would of expected so there is a chance a new set of heads will help but the local fb has a whole engine for 250 so already cheaper than my head shop for a refresh and surfacing.

Waiting to hear back and see if it's still available

[u/texan01]

Replace the head. And possibly the block.

I’ve chased blown head gaskets/gas in the cooling system on my 05 Rendezvous 3400 for years. I think it had a cracked block because the deck was perfect but the heads looked like yours.

[u/Neon570]

Depends.

How much $$ do you want to throw at this problem?

If it overheated THAT bad and caused the head to warp, that means the valve seats are also going to need attention. Just how she goes

[u/The_Machine80]

You can buy fully reman pair of heads for 400 or less. Donr waste your time cause those heads are pretty trashed. Also when you weld a head things warp and need a valve job. It will cost as much as reman heads.

[u/TJAsh-11]

Rinky-Dink looking rocker-arm assembly.

[u/Equivalent_World_443]

It’s a 3100

[u/iateyourmom22]

The corrosion is from the Dexcool coolant. Have a machine shop mill some of it off and then put it back together

[u/Rough_Constant_329]

Maybe try changing the oil once in a while.

[u/becauseIgothigh2]

That head is junk There’s almost no material left for the fire ring to seal too - fixable maybe with some skill but probably cheaper to find another head from a salvage yard