possible blown head gasket and warped head...what would you

[angmorbeng]

Hi,

I have a 1989 vitara and it keeps overheating on idle and it has been diagnosed by a mechanic as having a blown head gasket and possibly head damage.

I only use this vehicle when I am in NZ for 3 weeks per year.....is it worth
paying up to 3k to put it back on the road or would you scrap it and start again?

Problem is I have already had
a pro 3 inch lift done
it has an almost brand new soft top
wheel flares
large rubber
a week old clutch
bar work.....etc

Should I suck it up and pay for a possible new head etc....or part it out and start again????

[Smurf]

Do the math, what option is going to work out the cheapest?
Or decide which is the easiest from your point of view if the dollars aren't an issue.
If it is guaranteed to only be head/gasket problems then I'd say fix what you've got, then you know the condition the motor is in, unless it has been overheated badly, then perhaps a replacement engine or a recon may be the better idea?
Though 3k for a replacement head sounds pretty steep to me. Though I may be wrong?
Any help, no probably not.

[kbushnz]

I would be looking for a used engine and swap it in.... Quick simple and easy.. Then sell off the stuffed one for parts.

[Cameron]

^ this./ better the devil you know and all that.
$3k seems immensely steep, especially for a job like this on a Vitara!

[zukmeista]

What motor have you got? Due to year I would assume 8V G16, these are a bit harder to get secondhand parts for as the 16V is the more common motor. Whereabouts are you in NZ? As someone might be able to help you fix it or point you in the right direction.

[bang-thud-thump]

How far would 3k go to an upgrade of some sort?
4AGE, 16V Vitara or whatever you Vit guys use?