2001 LS V8 possible blown head gasket

[odinsLSon]

I am this far through my tear down, and someone tells me, it would’ve been better to remove the engine, I’d really like to get some of you all beautiful LS gods to give me some pointers if possible,

 

[FDR]

The images aren't working for me. They're just appearing as plain text, not a link, not a picture. Not sure what they're supposed to show. While I probably can't offer much info about the head gaskets, please, please tell me you ran down the usual list of culprits: all the external plastic parts. Reservoir, thermostat housing, radiator pipes, etc. They turn brittle and crack eventually, leading to mystery overheating - even without visible leaks.

The biggest thing, especially for the V8s, seems to be losing pressure leads to runaway overheating in the head. Steam pockets form in the high points. Cooling system leaks and even inadequate bleeding (its a 20 minute procedure you do now, in an hour, and again next week, hoping that you get it right by then) with various bleed/fill points (depends on engine). Air/leaks are far, far more common than failed head gaskets due to failfsafe cooling - but they do seem to be cropping up now. But so many LSes have likely been wrongly scrapped over "head gaskets" when it was really just $1k of plastics

 

[odinsLSon]

Just a little background on it I have replaced the thermostat and housing upper and lower radiator pipes all of the cooling lines. I’ve replaced the degas bottle radiator AC condenser dccv water pump and The exhaust manifold gaskets that’s everything. I have either replaced myself or had replaced. The only reason I assume it is a blown head gasket is after my mechanic looked at the cylinders with a scope. There was coolant in the cylinder eight

 

[Buckie]

I don't see how it would be easier with the engine out if you are just replacing head gaskets. That seems like alot of extra work just to replace two gaskets. Good luck! I hope it all goes great for you.

 

[Linc615]

A second opinion is also worth it, as is some blue devil, if its only in 1 cyl its worth trying before rebuilding they have money back garuntee, nothing to lose and might get you another 20k out of it

 

[Buckie]

A second opinion is also worth it, as is some blue devil, if its only in 1 cyl its worth trying before rebuilding they have money back garuntee, nothing to lose and might get you another 20k out of it

Speaking of blue devil i have used AT-205 reseal in a engine that was leaking oil from a headgasket. I had my doubts but thought i would try it before i tore the engine down for a headgasket replacement. Put it in and 5 days later It had completly stopped the oil leak. Ive also used Bars Professional head gasket sealer to seal up a leaking heater core. I thought the fibers in it might clog up the heater core but it stopped the leak and the heater still worked great. Alot of people call those things snake oil but i've used them an i can honestly say they have worked for me.