With all the talk bout blowin head gaskets and crackin heads, (not to mention the very real possibility of my "new" ride doin just that) I called a local parts store chain in good ole Crystal Lake, Il to get a grip on what this bundle of joy is gonna set me back and low and behold, the complete set WITH new bolts and 13 different gaskets and different do-dads comes to the grand total of......$45.99 - and its felpro to boot !!

I don't think I can advertise their name seein as how they don't support the Place, but if you PM me, I'll clue you in.

The only other good news is one of the night mechanics where I work is married to the daughter of the guy who owns one of the only places around here that grinds the heads, seein as how we can't mill them like a normal head. $60 before possible discount per head don't sound too bad.

Is that per side?

cheap, cheap, cheap ... everythign is cheap.

Git 'er done, lad, git 'er done!

What you're talking about up here is about $400 just for the parts!!

$46 for the ENTIRE gasket set - both sides (at least thats what two diff sotres told me - see, I called another store just to be sure it wasn't a mistake). $60 per head for grinding. That does not include valve job. Not sure bout the Canadian vs. US dollar difference.

Needs to be Blanchard ground for best head surfacing. Some shops just put it on a sanding belt and call it ground. Tip of the week.

Motor Service / NAPA in Harvard, Il is one of the more respected shops in the area, so I would assume that the do the Blanchard method.

Are 6.5's known to blow head gaskets too?

Yup, sorry. We 6.5'rs also have to deal with cooling issues, cooling issues leading to cracked heads, bad balancers cracking cranks, and yes blown head gaskets and so on.

Hate to get off topic, but do you live in Crystal lake? That is where I am located. I always go to Lee Auto parts, best service, best parts and I worked there for 2 years and know that they carry quality stuff.

Yes I do, I have only gone there once or twice. Zone is much closer to the house.

BTW I ordered the gasket set today and it was listed at $46, but paid only $38. It only came in standard thickness. To get the .010 gasket, it was $28 by itself w/o bolts.

Back to the other topic, I'd like to see your truck someday. If you see a 95 GMC one ton dump that is State of Ill orange with a peeling black dump body running around, its me.

Well guys, I got snookered. Picked up the head gasket set from auto zone, and guess what??? NO HEAD GASKETS!!! no head bolts, not much of anything. I got manifold gaskets (intake and exhaust), the rubber o-rings that weren't supposed to even be in the kit (for valve stems), the stat crossover gaskets - all 4, and new injector washers. I'm just glad I ONLY paid $38 for it. They want an additional $100 for the 2 head gaskets and 2 bolt sets. The way they listed/described it, it was VERY misleading. I still can't figure why they call it a "head gasket set".

Chicago, I think I might just start making the trip across town.

Yup, sorry. We 6.5'rs also have to deal with cooling issues, cooling issues leading to cracked heads, bad balancers cracking cranks, and yes blown head gaskets and so on.

Man I hope my truck doesnt overheat while Im taking my dogs to the beach. They each weigh more then 40 pounds it might be too much for my truck :(

Well how's your preventative maintanence program? Have you ever taken the radiator out to steam clean it at the local car wash? Do yourself a BIG favor and take off the upper rad shroud and look down to see if you hae any bugs, debri, or any thing like that. If you do, pull the radiator out, soak it with some type of cleaner (I used greased lightning) and while its soaking, clean all the crud out of where you just pulled the rad. Like behind the A/C condensor and oil coolers. Run the rad to the car wash and BLAST it good, Don't worry about bending the fins, it don't have enough pressure to bend fins. Hows you thermostat? does your gauge show at or above the 210* mark? If it does, get a new stat, but STAY AWAY from NAPA's stats I (and others here) have had some bad experiences with their stats. Go to GM.

There is also a debate if one should use a product called "water wetter". Supposedly, it helps transfer heat away from the metal (heads and cylinders) and helps prevent "hot spots".

Unless your pulling about 100 dogs, you should be fine. Hope this helps,