My First Hiccup, finally put this to bed after the 3rd try Options

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When we returned from Rt66 '16 I pulled my exhaust system down for a little trimming and noticed water in the left bank muffler! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/WTF.gif) We did drive through a ton of water on that trip. Then when returning from Costco yesterday it acted as if it were starved for fuel when it stumbled during acceleration. The fuel filter was the same one that came on the engine so I ordered another one. When I looked at the filter to check which one I had I noticed the coolant level in the expansion tank/reservoir had dropped. Well, there you are. Head gasket time. Now, I'm wondering if the stumble was due in fact to the head gasket failing? Decisions; should I fix this one which presently has ~ 185K or buy a JDM replacement. After perusing the net I found a few peep's whose JDM experience was less than stellar. Apparently it is a crap shoot as to what you get and the 40-50K avg mileage is (IMG:style_emoticons/default/bs.gif) . So, for about 1K I can pick up another engine and hope I bought a good one or open this one up and hope that is all it needs since it wasn't overheated. What does the the Wasser family think?

EDIT: It's an EZ30D 6cyl

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Almost 100% the head gasket, and the resulting issues (as you said, the coolant has to go somewhere, right?) As Ethan said, you can do this, it's not as bad as it seems. Figure a day to get the engine out and onto a stand. Then another day to tear the accessories and heads off. Send them to a machine shop to be measured, and if necessary, decked. Do both at once - Suby's, for whatever reason are still notorious for this stuff, even as developed as the EZ30 is. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif)

I haven't gotten mine running yet, but after moving to the Cometic MLS gaskets, I don't think I'd ever go back to the stock composite gaskets. A little more prep, but I believe it's the best idea.

George, tell me more about the Cometic gaskets. Haven't heard of them before.

You could do the head gasket no problem Kent. Doesn't look that hard at all. You have the EZ30D shop manual right? Let me know if not, I have it.

BTW I know of an EZ30R (I think is still) laying around...not a JDM. PM me if you want more info.

Chris, a million ty's as always but yes I have the shop manual. The "R" model would require changing out the accelerator cable etc because it is drive by wire. FWIW, I decided to do both the rebuild and buy a replacement. I found a "D" model which is complete so I'm going to throw $1000 at it and holler shit. I can use the spare parts if nothing else. If it's a keeper then maybe Dr. Frankenstein will have something to "play with". (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)

Its because they are somewhat terrible motors.

Ya'll need to ignore Collard Greens. When he was a little boy he used to come over to our farm and squirt Chicken Shit through his front teeth. I thought he would have outgrown it by now.