Yeah ok. Changing coolant isn't something I do very often on most cars. Hell I haven't even popped the cap off the radiator in my '91 Fleetwood Brougham in over12k miles. Coolant issues aren't of much concern in most cars. As a Northstar owner its vital but even that is no guarantee against a H/G issue.

One of the experts here can correct me if I am wrong. Here is my understanding about Northstars.

I believe that many of the overheading and head gasket problems are the result of the failure of the small fan belt that controls the water pump.

I have talked with a very experienced srvc mgr several times, and he tells me that the Northstars of 2000 and later are much less likely to have the head gasket problems that they had in the 90s.

I believe that the bolts in the earlier engines were shorter.