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  • Changing head and intake gaskets

    Well, my wife told me last night just to get the stuff fixed on my car. I'll be getting my AC stuff fixed hopefully next week sometime and then I'll be taking a day over the week of Thanksgiving to change my intake and head gaskets.

    So here's my plan. I'll pick up some gasket sets and I already have a big bottle of carb cleaner so that I can clean all the gunk and what not out of my intake, tb, heads, etc. I don't want to completely disassemble the head to clean it, so is it possible to just hose the heads down with cleaner, wash it really good, and then make sure its dry? Once everything is buttoned back up, I'll fill it back up with oil, flush the cooling system, and then change my oil, oil filter, and fuel filter.

    Am I forgetting anything in my though process?

  • #2
    Here's a couple more questions:

    Do I need intake gaskets with pushrod guides? If I end up getting them and don't need the guides, will the gaskets still work?

    Do I need new head bolts or can the old ones be used?

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    • #3
      IMO, I would get new head bolts. I think a set is around $25 or something like that. I would also have the head(s) decked. Did you blow a head gasket? Oh, which motor is this for?
      Robby Whitesell
      2006 Pontiac G6 GT
      1985 Toyota Pickup DLX

      Comment


      • #4
        1995 3100.

        The head gaskets aren't blown, but I'm at 150,000 miles and I'm starting to leak fluids. Figured I might as well change the gaskets and clean up the intakes, etc. regardless if I'm going to keep it or try to sell it.

        What is involved in having the heads decked? If I keep the car, I will eventually be swapping the engine. If I am going to get rid of it, it will be in the next few months anyway. Regardless, I don't want to spend much cash doing this.

        Comment


        • #5
          Not much is involved, just taking the heads to a shop. The only problem I see is that you want to do it over the holiday time period. There is a good chance that shops will be closed around this time, so getting any work done to the heads might be difficult.

          I would also recommend getting new head bolts. And look at this job taking probably 2 days minimum, but maybe set aside 3 days just in case. Tearing the engine down to the block (essentially) while still in the car is cumbersome to say the least. You WILL run into problems, no matter what.
          -Brad-
          89 Mustang : Future 60V6 Power
          sigpic
          Follow the build -> http://www.3x00swap.com/index.php?page=mustang-blog

          Comment


          • #6
            Get new set of head bolts .. they strecth .. manuals and such things also say use new head bolts ..

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            • #7
              I'm not planning on rushing, but I would like to get this done in a day. I have extra time that I can use, but I will only use that in case of an emergency.

              Is decking necessary I guess is my question. What is going to happen if I don't do it?

              Comment


              • #8
                Originally posted by ikessky
                I'm not planning on rushing, but I would like to get this done in a day. I have extra time that I can use, but I will only use that in case of an emergency.

                Is decking necessary I guess is my question. What is going to happen if I don't do it?
                not totally neccassary but its highly recomended to make sure you have a good flat smooth surface on the head and that all the old gasket material is completly removed. You can just spend a lot of time with some cleaner and a scraper if you want but youll never get as good a surface as decking will give you.

                1995 Monte Carlo LS
                3400 SFI 60v6
                FFP Underdrive Pulley, S&S Headers, LSD, ODBII Swap, DHP

                Comment


                • #9
                  Yeah decking them is wise. If you dont deck them you could put them back on and blow a head gasket shortly after if the gasket doesnt have a smooth, flat surface to mate to. I would like to emphsize the job taking more than one day. I did a head gasket for a guy over the summer on a 89 Grand Prix 3.1L and it was just a huge mess, like it always is, when the motor is still in the car. A/C compressor was a bitch to get off and the thing the dogbone attaches to on the passenger side that goes all the way down to block, was a just a mess to get at with the motor in the car. Good Luck!
                  Robby Whitesell
                  2006 Pontiac G6 GT
                  1985 Toyota Pickup DLX

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Originally posted by robby1870
                    Yeah decking them is wise. If you dont deck them you could put them back on and blow a head gasket shortly after if the gasket doesnt have a smooth, flat surface to mate to. I would like to emphsize the job taking more than one day. I did a head gasket for a guy over the summer on a 89 Grand Prix 3.1L and it was just a huge mess, like it always is, when the motor is still in the car. A/C compressor was a bitch to get off and the thing the dogbone attaches to on the passenger side that goes all the way down to block, was a just a mess to get at with the motor in the car. Good Luck!
                    Very true, last time I did head gaskets on my 3100 it was a major pain, I think next time I have to do somthing like that I will prob just rent a hoist and pull the engine and do the work with it on a stand. Even with pulling and replacing the engine I bet it would still be quicker than trying to do the gaskets with the engine in the car. Plus with the engine out theres other things you can do like the oil pan gasket and motor mounts as well.

                    1995 Monte Carlo LS
                    3400 SFI 60v6
                    FFP Underdrive Pulley, S&S Headers, LSD, ODBII Swap, DHP

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      I hate to say it, but I think I will just be spending the time with the straight edge, cleaner, and scraper. Not only will it be close to the holidays, but I will also be miles away from the nearest machine shop. It would kill a day or two just bringing these to the shop to have them do them. I'm not really worried about the heads being warped. I'm not looking to mod further on this engine or race it, so I don't think I will have to worry that much about doing this myself.

                      I'm lucky that the AC compressor is underneath the water pump and I don't have dogbones. I will still plan on two days though I guess.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        I am going through this at the moment too. I have to get all the parts together but I noticed a small leak that turn big quick. I understand why you would get the head bolts but what about the gasket kit. Should you use the one with the pushrod guides or not bother. The kits I have seen is a difference of about $40 so it will definately make a difference if I can save that money.

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                        • #13
                          I'm going to hold off replacing anything for now. If the leak gets bigger, I will take the opportunity to either replace the top end of my vehicle or the motor all together.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Originally posted by Compufreek
                            I am going through this at the moment too. I have to get all the parts together but I noticed a small leak that turn big quick. I understand why you would get the head bolts but what about the gasket kit. Should you use the one with the pushrod guides or not bother. The kits I have seen is a difference of about $40 so it will definately make a difference if I can save that money.
                            The pushrod guides are not neccassary but I think were part of the solution to prevent the famous lower intake leak. check out http://www.pickproparts.com they have full head kits for decent prices.

                            1995 Monte Carlo LS
                            3400 SFI 60v6
                            FFP Underdrive Pulley, S&S Headers, LSD, ODBII Swap, DHP

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              There is no need to deck the heads. If you check with a feeler guage and a straight edge and everything is within tolerance then he will be fine. Don't tell him to spend money he doesn't have to.
                              1993 EXT. CAB, 3.4L V6 TBI, 5spd manual. Sonoma
                              1990 4Door, 3.2L V6 TBI, 5spd manual. 4X4. Trooper
                              Because... I am, CANADIAN

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