Head Gasket Replacement Tips - Shortcuts - Advice Wanted

[clevo]

The head gaskets in my 1990 3.1 L engine need to be replaced. Anyone have any advice on doing this job? I've done easy stuff like brakes and alternator, plugs, etc., but never torn down the top end of an engine, so any advice you can share would be appreciated.

[robby1870]

Best thing is, since its your first time, to take your time and label connectors, bolts, etc that you think you'll forget where they go. If you had to drive the car for a little bit after the head gaskets blew, you'll need to get your heads checked for warping. Get a book, like a haynes or chiltons that will give you a general how to.

[napatiger]

your sig says 3.4 DOHC so this is a different car right?

[clevo]

The signature refers to our 95 Cutlass convertible. It has the 3.4 dohc, and was the reason I originally stumbled across this forum.

The car with a blown head gasket is a '90 Beretta 3.1 L that I've had since new and maintained pretty well. It does have almost 215,000 miles on it. The car's in good shape and still runs good, so I hate to get rid of it even though it is a 16 year old car. Now watch, I'll get this done and the tranny will die or a bearing will fry due to the coolant that got into the oil.

Anyway, I'm pretty confident I can get the engine apart, it's the getting it back together correctly that will be the trick. I'll definitely label everything and take it slow - and I do have the factory service manual to use as a reference.

[geldartb]

did the lim on my beretta for the first time last year just take you time and dont mix the bolts up. get a peice of styrofoam or an old cardboard box to keep the pushrods in, put holes in the box but keep them in order.

[SHOoff]

Re: Head Gasket Replacement Tips - Shortcuts - Advice Wanted

The head gaskets in my 1990 3.1 L engine need to be replaced. Anyone have any advice on doing this job? I've done easy stuff like brakes and alternator, plugs, etc., but never torn down the top end of an engine, so any advice you can share would be appreciated.

Get a book. Follow the directions and take your time. To hell with checking the surface, get the heads planed anyways. Just in case. Taking short cuts will only screw you later down the road.

[96mcls]

buy a storage container with removable dividers, and as you pull the bolts put them in a spot and put a peice of paper in with them that says where they go

[GutlessSupreme]

buy a storage container with removable dividers, and as you pull the bolts put them in a spot and put a peice of paper in with them that says where they go

x2 I'm doing that while I'm tearing down my block for my rebuild and it's working great

http://members.cox.net/gts-4x4/image...%20(Small).jpg
http://members.cox.net/gts-4x4/image...%20(Small).jpg

I used to use that box particularly for my old R/C truck parts... still getting put to good use though.

[96mcls]

nice box, i use the same one only it's red

[Carlspike]

I've even used ziplock bags marked with what bolts go where. If you have a digital camera you can also take pictures before you start and along the way so that you can see what goes where. Just like everybody else said get a book, take your time, get your heads milled and valves checked, and keep everything in order.

[Doubt_Incarnate]

make you dont leave anything where it shouldnt go. keep track of everything and make sure the deck and head surfaces are clean when you put it back to gether. also you should get new head bolts, i know somepeople reuse them, but i dont and probly never will.

[tractorman]

If you got any bolts going into aluminum threads... put antisieze on them. Except the LIM bolts of course, which should get locktite. Antisieze is wonderful stuff... steel and aluminum don't play well together, especially when things get a little older and the plating on the bolts begins to deteriorate.

[RednBlack]

Get beer.

[Juglenaut]

Don't use antisieze librally. I wouldn't loctight anything unless a service manual requires it.

[Tee]

The lifters!

I agree with Tractorman, use anti-seize on the threads because I've seen this happen on Honda heads and blocks where you go to put it together and the bolt won't tighten. You pull the bolt out and you see aluminum in the threads, this is bad, Helicoil time.

Also, when you're all done, don't freak out when the vehicle runs like crap for awhile because it will until the lifters pump up. The idle will get progressively smoother over a period of a few minutes. Good Luck!
Regards,
Tee