Chevrolet Repair: C4 Corvette, c4 corvette, head gaskets

Question
My 1987 Corvette sat for approx. for 1 year (so I thought, while I was in a COMA. After a couple of drives in it, it started to run hot. It was always dealer maintained. ? is what types of Engines can I put in the Corvette being i am now on SSI. Im the second owner and have all paperwork since it was brought, I also worked with original owner. It now has blown Head Gaskets. Trying to find the cheapest but correct way to rebuild it. Thanks in Advance:  Steve

Answer
Hi Steve,

COMA...you mean for real?  If you mean you have been injured I am sorry to hear that.  I hope all is going well.

You say you thought it was parked.  Did you find anyone was using it while you were in a coma?  IF so, try to find out what kind of driving conditions this person put the car through.  Head gaskets dont just go bad from sitting.  At least not sitting for only 1 year.  

A head gasket job is probably the cheapest and easiest way to go.  I would not mess with an engine swap.  If the motor was toast, I would rebuild it rather than put in a new one.  The reason is value.  Once the motor is changed, the value goes down drastically.  A head gasket job on that car should be relatively inexpensive.  If you were to bring it to me, I would charge no more than $600 complete.  More than half of that is parts and machining.  

I would look for a good on-side mechanic to help you out.  That car is probably cross-fire.  That means two carbs/injector systems.  You need to have that working properly when the job is finished.  

Are you 100% sure the heads are gone?  May be another problem.  

If you want to discuss this more or need more advice, I am C J S.  I found this question in the question pool (trash).  Who ever you asked prior discarded it, and any of us other advisors can attempt to answer it.  I would be happy to help you further.  I own an '84 'vette.  It is similar to yours.  

C J S