Arrow still rebuilding for Gen1 head gaskets leaks?

[obaa996]

Hey all,
So my car is now at the dealer awaiting inspection of the head gaskets. If they are leaking, how likely is it that the engine will be pulled to go to Arrow for a rebuild? They mentioned that although they could do the gasket replacement in-house, that I would be much better off (i.e. the motor will be essentially new) if it does go to Arrow; it's just that DC is less likely to authorize this sort of thing than they used to. Is there anything I can do to tip the scales one way or another?

 

[FRANK]

I put new head gaskets in mine and no problem whatsoever a year later. Before I would have a motor pulled, I would have them install the upgraded gaskets. Just my two cents. After seeing the factory gaskets and comparing them to the revised ones, it is no question why they leak.

People wanna talk about the cylinders creeping .0000000000000001" and main journals out of spec by .00000000000000001". If you like listening to many of the benchbuilding authorities around here, have your motor pulled and rebuilt by Arrow. If you want to keep it simple, have new head gaskets swapped in and you'll be back in business in a matter of a few days. Talk to real authorities around here like Doug Levin and Chuck Tator. I assure you that they will steer you towards new head gaskets. Doug knew this was the problem over 4-5 years ago!

 

[Tom Sessions]

it is up to you.If you want to have your engine pulled and sent back tell the dealer that is what you want.If quick turn around is what you need then let them fix it in house.It can work either way.I just sent a 96 rt motor off to arrow today for head gaskets leaking.Personally I don't feel I'm giving the customer everything they are entitled to if I just put head gaskets on under warranty.You are going to spend the same money either way.Get the most for your money.
Just my 2cents

 

[malcoll]

it is up to you.If you want to have your engine pulled and sent back tell the dealer that is what you want.If quick turn around is what you need then let them fix it in house.It can work either way.I just sent a 96 rt motor off to arrow today for head gaskets leaking.Personally I don't feel I'm giving the customer everything they are entitled to if I just put head gaskets on under warranty.You are going to spend the same money either way.Get the most for your money.
Just my 2cents

I agree with Tom... last May the engine was pulled out of my 1996 RT and sent off for the Arrow rebuild.

It took 10 weeks almost exactly... but it is essentially a new engine for the $100 deductible. Plus... I had the tech install a new clutch assembly and had the flywheel resurfaced... also they found the motor mounts were questionable and those were replaced as well.

I did not find any appreciable HP or Torque increase from the rebuild...but I now have a 8,000 mile engine in my 40,000 mile Viper.

Good Luck,
Lance

 

[LW VIPER]

I recently purchased an out of warranty 96 RT/10 with less than 9000 miles on it. How likely is it that I will suffer from leaky head gaskets, and how noticeable is the problem?

 

[obaa996]

Our Viper tech mentioned both options; he suggested I'd be better off having the whole thing rebuilt (if DC will allow it), and I can definitely see the advantages of getting a new motor, broken in just the way I want. It just kills me that I find out just as the weather is turning nice... Ugh!

As far as how prone the head gaskets are to leaking? I think I've read figures of around 25% of all Gen1 cars on this board, although it might be mitigated with religious head bolt torquing. In my case, I've had occasions where I thought I smelled coolant, but the telltale sign was really the coolant tracks on the block. From the recent postings on the board, it seems like a lot of folks are currently getting head gaskets done.