My 87 300D overheated a couple weeks ago and it has a blown head gasket. I owned it for about 10 years and don't really know the mileage since the odometer was broke when we bought the car. The loss of coolant that lead to the overheating was from a mildly leaking water pump and a teenage son who was not paying attention to the water level each week or temperature gauge that afternoon. Anyway, I will need to at least replace the head gasket and most likely the head too (it has an original #14).

My situation is further complicated by the fact that we are in the process of relocating from Huntsville AL to Central Florida for work. I am trying to decide to try to fix it (do the head & gasket) when I visit home every couple weeks (until we actually move in mid June), replace the entire engine with a good used motor, or sell it. I have recently (past 2 years) replaced the vacuum pump, the clear fuel lines in the engine compartment, resealed the injection pump, replaced the evaporator and vacuum motors along. Also has new tires (less than a month old) So if I sell, I would like to get $1500. However, the transmission does need to be resealed.

So my question is how long does it usually take to replace the head gasket and what special tools? How long does it take to R&R the engine? Any interest in the car at $1500?
Thanks,
Lee

My opinion is that it is extremely optimistic in thinking that there is no other issues with the Cylinder Head.

If this had happened to Me I would at the very least expect the Cylinder Head to be warped as Aluminum Cylinder heads do not far well when they are overheated.

I also would not rule out the worst until the Head was removed and inspected to see if it is warped and pressure tested.

If you are renting a U-haul Truck for the Move you could perhaps add on a Vehicle Trailer and Tow your Car to the new location.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

If you had the most expensive Auto Club Membership; what is the longest distance they would tow it for Free?

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

If I take the head gasket approach, I am anticipating the need to replace the head and stupid water pump. Just trying to figure out the nominal experiences people who have done the head/gasket replacement have for the amount of time and compare to pulling the engine.
Thanks