Getting ready to dive into my lq1

[coryatver]

-My 1994 z34 155,000 miles blew the radiator hose off last december. I took it to my mechanic and he told me the head gasket is blown and wants 1,500 to do it. I can't afford it so I have to do it myself or its off to the junk yard. What all should I replace while doing this?

This is what I am thinking:

-All the top end gaskets head gaskets, intake, valve seals $? part #:? do i get it at a dealer or autozone/advanced. I found at autozone felpro ones for $128

-thermostat $20? part #:? I found autozone delco $19.99

-head bolts I hear that they are a one time use??? $? part #:? I found felpro ones $58 for all of them

-resurface head $? I will need to find a local shop

Also while I have it apart I have read I should replace:

-oil o-ring part #:?

-timing belt, pulleys, tensioner $300 I replaced everything 40,000 miles ago how often does it need it? Could I get away with just a new belt to save $250 bucks?

any tips or advice appreciated I never have done this before but with some determination and some help I think I might be able to pull it off.

[SappySE107]

dayco makes a timing belt kit for much less than 300. No, you can't cut corners on your timing belt setup.

[coryatver]

ok I will do everything

[pocket-rocket]

The head gasket set from Felpro also comes with valve stem seals. The local shop I use charges $88 for pressure cleaning, pressure checking and decking a set of V6 heads. Get some valve grinding compound and a drill to relap the valves when you get the heads back (helps refresh the seal the valve makes to the seat). Do the dist. O-ring for sure, save yourself a headache later

[3100 MPFI]

dont forget booze. Lots and lots of booze. And you will need a hugh bottle of asprin.

The booze will help calm you down, and the asprin will take care of the headache that does not come from day after hangover.

The price of booze is different, but asprin is about $3.00 a bottle. The cheaper the booze the better it works.

[55trucker]

Beg borrow or steal a set of Camshaft lockdown tools....you'll need them to time the cams to the crank, and as stated...Patience...lots of it!..........http://www.etoolcart.com/browseprodu...J-38613-A.HTML

[coryatver]

thanks a lot ok work on head, booze, asprin, camshaft tools are added to the list actually moving booze to the top andmoving the mini fridge right into the garage

[55trucker]

Also....thought of something else..(not to discourage you)...you'll need a *Torque to Yield* gauge for the new head bolts (these bolts cannot be used more than once).....these are not a simple pull on the torque wrench *until it clicks*...type of bolt. http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....0&group_ID=980

[3100 MPFI]

Just so you know, you do not have to have the holddown tools for the cams, but from what I hear, they help. When I did the belt on my 1995 Cutlass Supreme, I did NOT use the holddown tools, and was still able to get it right. They just help hold it in place, but from the issues I had with the rear camshaft, I think it would be easier to do WITHOUT the holddown tools than with.

[coryatver]

I bought the felpro gasket set, a thermostat, and ordered the dayco timing kit and head bolts still need to get a belt. Does anyone know if the felpro gasket set included the seal for the leaky oil o ring i have heard about or do i need to get that from the dealer. Should I get a new hydrolic belt tensioner also?

After I get all the parts in i am going to start on it. I know a guy that has the gm hold down tools hopefully he will let me use them again like last time i did the timing belt. Thanks for the Info on the head bolts I will see if I can find an angle tool.

[SappySE107]

I would replace the timing belt tensioner with the pulley, idler pullies, and belt. If 1 fails, its all for nothing.

[pocket-rocket]

I bought a torque angle gauge at (as much as I hate to admit I bought something there...) Autozone for $10.

[55trucker]

I bought the felpro gasket set, a thermostat, and ordered the dayco timing kit and head bolts still need to get a belt. Does anyone know if the felpro gasket set included the seal for the leaky oil o ring i have heard about or do i need to get that from the dealer. Should I get a new hydrolic belt tensioner also?

After I get all the parts in i am going to start on it. I know a guy that has the gm hold down tools hopefully he will let me use them again like last time i did the timing belt. Thanks for the Info on the head bolts I will see if I can find an angle tool.

If you purchased a *Valve Grind* Head set.....everything you need to look after the top end should be in there. As Pocket stated.....you don't NEED to buy the Snap-on angle gauge......that was just a visual description.

[coryatver]

I got the felpro head set it contains everything I think. It says it contains a oil manifold gasket on the package i am thinking that is the one I need.

[pocket-rocket]

That's probably the one for the oil distribution cover in the center of the block between the heads, which means it's not an O ring for the distr. plug. I never remember the head gasket sets from Felpro I've ordered coming with that O ring. I've ordered like 3 or 4 of them too.