1998 k2500 5.7 head gasket worry

[joog]

I found a 98 k2500 for sale and the previous owner put head gaskets on it just a few weeks ago, and I’m worried he’s just trying to do some cheeky patchwork to sell it. I heard these vortec heads are prone to cracking. I really love the truck and want to purchase it but I don’t want to have a huge problem like cracked heads ruin my purchase.

What should I look out for? What are the ways to tell it’s cracked?

 

[rebelyell]

Vortec heads ARE prone to cracking.

you can pressure-TEST coolant system for exhaust gas pressure.
you look and smell for exhaust gas and/or oil in the coolant; look for evidence of stop-leak remedy in coolant/in radiator/in coolant reservoir.
you look and smell for coolant in the oil.
you TEST for the same; ask your Friendly Local Auto Parts Store (NAPA) for the TEST bits & kits.
If you're not confident in your technique, you Pay a pro to do the job.
Might be the best money spent in a C O O N 's age

Even then, there's no guarantee a cracked head won't sneak through.

 

[98_SLE_98]

If the body is in good shape and price is right I would get it. Where I’m from we buy on body condition and couldn’t care less whether it runs or not lol

 

[joog]

Vortec heads ARE prone to cracking.

you can pressure-TEST coolant system for exhaust gas pressure.
you look and smell for exhaust gas and/or oil in the coolant; look for evidence of stop-leak remedy in coolant/in radiator/in coolant reservoir.
you look and smell for coolant in the oil.
you TEST for the same; ask your Friendly Local Auto Parts Store (NAPA) for the TEST bits & kits.
If you're not confident in your technique, you Pay a pro to do the job. Might be the best money spent in a ****'s age.

Even then, there's no guarantee a cracked head won't sneak through.

Is there any way to test and see if it has these problems when I am checking the truck out before purchasing?

 

[joog]

If the body is in good shape and price is right I would get it. Where I’m from we buy on body condition and couldn’t care less whether it runs or not lol

Oh yeah of course, I'm from the midwest, but the owner is asking just enough where I should care if it runs lol

 

[movietvet]

What he asks and what he will accept is two different things. Needs to be completely inspected by a qualified tech that you trust. May have more wrong with it than what has been told to you. The previous owner put head gaskets on it or had a shop do it? Either way, where is the paperwork? Why were they done to begin with? Machine shop check the heads? Paperwork for that? If it isn't documented, it didn't happen.

 

[joog]

What he asks and what he will accept is two different things. Needs to be completely inspected by a qualified tech that you trust. May have more wrong with it than what has been told to you. The previous owner put head gaskets on it or had a shop do it? Either way, where is the paperwork? Why were they done to begin with? Machine shop check the heads? Paperwork for that? If it isn't documented, it didn't happen.

He had a shop replace the gaskets, I am waiting for him to send me the receipts

 

[movietvet]

He had a shop replace the gaskets, I am waiting for him to send me the receipts

You still want to know why the head gaskets were needed. Typically, head gaskets are the RESULT of another problem, unless the heads were cracked. Also, did they go to the machine shop? What else may or may not have been done to the heads while apart? I would still have a pro check it, though.