Do I really need a rebuild?

[d0n_3d]

I'm starting to realize that I will not be able to afford a massive rebuild like I once wanted. I thought about this and the bottom end of the motor should be ok. I mean the pistons are ok, they are a little scuffed up on the tops but no major holes or anything. The crank is fine, cam should be fine. The car ran AWESOME before I blew my headgasket. The motor is bone stock right now with about 95k miles and has the stock water, oil pumps and stock timing chain and gears. I was thinking about just replacing the timing chain and gears, water, oil pumps, and rear main seal and just leave everything else alone.

I have decided to still get the stock heads ported and polished along with the intake. I'm cutting costs big time. I am going with a PT-61 turbo and a 3200 orange stripe converter. Also going with 57 lb/hr high impedence injectors and just a stock intercooler with modified neck...what do you guys think? Does my motor really need a rebuild right now? I don't think so...especially since I am not gonna be able to afford 10Gs right away...besides when I blew the headgasket, the water never touched the motor parts...it blew on the valley side of cylinder #4. The oil and water both looked perfect when I drained them. So I know my bearings and everything should be ok.

[BlownZ]

Need and want are two words often misused in the automotive world. Hundreds of guys have gotten by after a blown HG with a new gasket and a few oil changes so as long as you have no mechanical damage then why not try it. I would do like you are planning and change out the timing chain, oil pump gears etc and give it a low buck clean up and put it back in service. The only thing you may consider is running a compression check in the cylinders that are not affected by the blown headgasket. Good Luck.

[d0n_3d]

well i know the DAY after i blew a headgasket in my GN...i blew a headgasket in my 88 ford ranger 4x4 truck...but that was a REALLY bad headgasket failure because it blew on the OTHER side of the valley and water definitely got in the oil...when i drained the oil it was milkshake city...also drained the radiator and the water had oil in there too...not to mention the truck ended up overheating SEVERELY because i drove 70 miles trying to get it back home and i cracked both cylinder heads!!! i just replaced the gaskets and got a fresh new set of heads and put everything back together...changed the oil 3 times in 500 miles and everything is all fine, drives awesome and i have driven like 5000+ miles already...

so i don't think the GN is bad at all...at least i sure hope not!

[BlownZ]

I think you'll be fine.