Radiator bubbling, no other signs of head gasket

[krusing]

Does the vrs kit have the mace or acdelco ali lim gaskets?

Going by the list that the OP put up,
A VRS kit has the lot.
Not that it’s all required to do LIM replacement.

 

[SquidOfOhms]

Going by the list that the OP put up,
A VRS kit has the lot.
Not that it’s all required to do LIM replacement.

Not sure what a VRS kit is. This kit is much cheaper and more convenient but people have said the Mace gasket is a better buy

ETA ohhh is a valve regrind set?

 

[Lex]

Going by the list that the OP put up,
A VRS kit has the lot.
Not that it’s all required to do LIM replacement.

There is a difference between the lim gaskets. The standard gaskets are plastic. That is one the reasons they would go. Other reason bolts coming loose.
The acdelco, mace gaskets are aluminum. So out last the plastic ones.

Not sure what a VRS kit is. This kit is much cheaper and more convenient but people have said the Mace gasket is a better buy

Vrs is for rebuilding the heads.

 

[losh1971]

A head gasket set would be cheaper than a VRS.

 

[krusing]

A head gasket set would be cheaper than a VRS.

Correct,
But if the OP purchase all the items, it will possibly be almost the same cost as a VRS.

In a nut shell, (the cheapest option)
LIM Gasket Kit,
RVT sealant,

I did a relatives car with the items above, and the Kit included all what was required.

 

[Lex]

Perfect answer, thankyou! This is what I’m getting so far, please anyone add on if necessary! I want it done properly the first time.

LIM Gasket: https://www.maceengineering.com.au/...4fe11/?ObjectPath=/Shops/mace/Products/GSK601
Blue RTV Gasket sealant: https://www.maceengineering.com.au/...e11/?ObjectPath=/Shops/mace/Products/SEL001-A
Thermostat: https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/p/tridon-tridon-thermostat-gasket---ttg46/11238.html
Thermostat gasket: https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/p/tridon-tridon-thermostat-gasket---ttg46/11238.html
High-strength threadlocker: https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/p...eadlocker---high-strength-red-10ml/30504.html
Heater inlet hose (?) o rings: https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/p/permaseal-wi-holden-v6-tens-orings/SPO6650230.html
Plenum chamber gasket: (is this the lower body to manifold gasket?) https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/p/platinum-plenum-chamber-gasket-set/SPO2054520.html#q=Plenum gasket&lang=en_AU&vid=oNFBPjPaNgpSPrBe0SokgQ==&start=1
Throttle body gasket: https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/p/durapro-holden-3800-5lt-2-bolt-hole/SPO1484854.html#q=Throttle body gasket&lang=en_AU&vid=oNFBPjPaNgpSPrBe0SokgQ==&start=3

You will also need green coolant. 5 litres of unmixed wil make 10 litres? That should be sufficent?

 

[losh1971]

Yeah, I wouldn't go to the extra expense of a HGS or VRS.

 

[Immortality]

Whats the bottom one for?

VT ecotec.

The location where the PCV port comes back into the plenum changes. On VS and VT the PCV port comes out right by the cylinder 5 intake runner allowing all those gasses to go into that cylinder and causing issues. Bad enough that Holden re-cast the intake manifold to fix it.

 

[losh1971]

You will also need green coolant. 5 litres of unmixed wil make 10 litres? That should be sufficent?

Can run the Nulon gear a 30 coolant 70 water. That will help with cooling efficiency. Mech should know that though.

 

[SquidOfOhms]

Another question, the generic thermostat from SCA that has a couple bad reviews is the same price as the ‘performance’ one from Mace. Obviously not planning on tuning or doing anything fancy with my car but should I grab that instead?