If all that is wrong is a blown head gasket and even a cracked head it is much easier and cheaper to just fix it than to replace the engine. The labor to replace the engine plus the cost of the engine would be far greater than fixing the one you now have. This is assuming the engine is not worn out already.
Valves are not seating properly. Worn piston rings, cylinder sleaves and or blown Head gasket
Depends on the event that lead to the head gasket giving out. What happened to cause it? Is it smoking? Is there coolant mixing or oil mixing? Any knock? It could be a simple-ish afternoon job or it could require a full rebuild/swap due to internal damage.
It depends. If there is a DOHC engine available that uses the same bottom end as your SOHC engine, then you can use that DOHC head. Just make sure that there are sufficient valve cutouts on the pistons. If there ISN'T a DOHC head available for your block, then a full engine swap would be a better idea. But even if there is, a full engine swap may be a better and more cost-effective option.
if the miles on the engine aren't too high, then just replace the head gaskets. if the whole engine is tired go ahead and swap out the motor. its a lot cheaper to do the gaskets then to buy a new motor.
Well you could have a blown head gasket,cracked head or block, or a combination of the above. Though I would go with the head gasket or cracked head first. You can remove the heads and have them checked if the come back clean and you could see breaks or cracks in the gasket then that's prob. your problem, if they are ok then you will have to have your block checked.. If you aren't able to do this yourself then ask around to friends and coworkers and get recommedations for good mechanics. Basically check your cost on a swap out motor and the actual repairs and make your decision.. Check the heads first. It would probably be cheaper then a complete engine swap. It may be an intake gasket leak. Head or intake gaskes are still less than a motor. That 3.4 GM engine is famous for losing upper and lower intake manifold gaskets. I learned it the hard way. good luck
Head repairs are costly on any car because of the labour. Most cars head gasket needs replacement so the whole top end needs to be removed and reassembled. This costs much time and money in labour charges. If the head is cracked it is the same thing because the two are touching. You will have to pay for the part also. Some times its cheaper to replace the whole engine. The labour on engine swap may be cheaper. This happened to my 93 cutlas supreme. I replaced the whole engine because of the head gasket: it was 400 cheaper. I got another 200K and had to get rid of it because the body was rotting. Go get some quotations for repair and engine swap. Try to get your own engine from wreckers and you will save some money. Good luck!
The timing belt went on my 2.2 honda accord. I want to make it a Vtec now. Should i just get a Vtec motor or swap the Head?
In some cases yes, you can replace the head gasket for a hefty price or replace the motor with a new one. Weigh your options think of how many miles you have on the old motor do you really want to keep putting money into it or just get a brand new one wither way its going to cost a nice amount of money for with either service. Here's a link for some motor prices. www.jasperengines.com
compare the engine stamps on the block or head. You may need a book to see if they are compatible to swap out.
If you are asking what it is its a nonvtec single cam engine with a vtec single cam head on top of the block
The 3.4L engine has a common problem which makes the van overheat. The one of two major problems are both cooling related and that is why they fail to do that job and the engine begins to overheat. One likely problem is that the Intake Manifold Gasket is torn. This is the lesser of the two problems. The second likely problem is that the Head Gasket is torn. This is the bigger problem. Many times, it is easier for the mechanic to just swap your engine with a different one from the scrapyard.
Of course you can. Do a google search on "2.7 to 3.5 swap" and you'll find a web forum that discusses the swap including which engines work and what parts you'll be needing. There is good news about this swap: The 3.5L engine swap is actually CHEAPER than replacing your 2.7! You'll get more power and have a much better engine in the end. Gas mileage may suffer a bit, but who cares when you mash down on the pedal and you go!