As mentioned though, if head gaskets are the culprit, this is the perfect time to upgrade...I'd talk to Richard at WCCH and see what he has to offer...and throw a cam in there while you're at it

 

for $1700 you could swap to a decent set of aftermarket heads and a nice cam. just do the work yourself.

maybe this will help you out if you do the work yourself.
http://ls1howto.com/

 

No white smoke. Never overheated. Definately want to check for warpage and the price did not include machining of the heads. They told me to assume that the price will go up. Thanks for the help guys. Does anyone have a writeup or how to?

 

like 454navyss said, heres the link of how to do it on a camaro, pretty much the same procedure for our trucks

http://ls1howto.com/index.php?article=2

 

for that kind of money you could also swap in a newer engine and cam and still be in the green.

From a shops stand point It's probally fair. in my area shop rates typicaly run about $80 at an independant shop and $120 at the dealer. your looking at roughly 10 hours of labor to remove and install them from a shop plus there gonna send the heads out for reconditioning which would be about $400-$500 Then gaskets, bolts fluids and so on. remember that parts are always sold at the list price through a shop. You can always get the parts cheaper then what a shops gonna sell them to you for.

 

If its never overheated, what is the likelihood that the heads will need to be resurfaced?

 

Does anyone know what part number the head gaskets are from SDPC2000? Thanks

 

Its a wise Idea to atleast have them looked at. Maybe do a valve job, clean the bowls up and have the heads milled with a clean up pass usually .005 does it.

#12575329 -4.8L/5.3L GM MLS Head Gasket SOLD AS A SINGLE

I think you said 04 motor... #17800568 would be one head bolt kit for one Head. You will need 2 kits if your doing both heads.

Should be most all part numbers you will need here...
https://www.performancetrucks.net/fo...d.php?t=428941

Good luck keep us posted!!!

 

#89017252 is a head gasket kit, I have an 01 5.3. What comes included in this kit?

 

Is that for the 01 up kit with the MLS head gaskets??? I believe its head gaskets, intake manifoldgaskets, and valve cover gaskets, also head bolts. Could always call a dealer and ask....