Head Gasket repair need some info

[TxAlero]

Ok im tearing down my engine to replace a busted HG from this weekend :cry: . Ive got lots of info on how to do it and what goes where. So you guys that have acually done this whats going to be my biggest problem I run into??

Also I was thinking of painting my upper intake but not sure whats a good engine color to go with Sierra Mist metallic?

[wrestlingandrunning]

Wasn't too bad of a job, spent about ~ $700 including machine work on heads

[clutch1]

Worst part I'd say is the bolts for the rear exhaust manifold.. just such a crap spot to get to.

[rustyballs_69]

Worst part I'd say is the bolts for the rear exhaust manifold.. just such a crap spot to get to.

I would agree. And don't mix up the push rods and follow all the torgue specs.

[Afugy]

Make sure you take your time cleaning every part and then re-oiling. Install new spark plugs before you put the heads back on. You can flush out the block with gas, it will remove allot! Grease the top of the push rods as well.

[tomekbrek]

Be carefull with gas intake pipe, inside is small ring, can fly away :)
And check two times injectors, before you will put intake mainfold back, check gas pressure.

I rebiulded my engine 5 weeks ego, new all gaskets, and piston rings, a lot of horses cames back from a land of eternal hunting, but my lucky lasts couple hs, after that my transmission lost 3 and 4 gear, and conventer....
right now rebuilding trans and conventer in progress...

My Alero became as our (eu) alfa romeo, even is one sentence about -

"Alfa romeo buying through heart, and after that, you should have hard ass and big vallet..."

[TxAlero]

I starting tearing down the engine today got as far as removing the UIM. Tommorow the rest should be easy to get to. BTW how did u get the downtake pipe off?? There is one screw up by the pipe i cant even budge, let alone get a good sized wrench in..
Only lost 1 screw so far :rolleyes2: :thumb:

[Lucalare]

slightly off topic, but does anyone know just why the LA1 destroys so many head gaskets?

[Ryan from Ohio]

Just be VERY careful with the exhaust bolts. They rust and break off SUPER easy. Get the good PB Blaster fluid and soak the exhaust bolts overnight.

When you go to reassemble I suggest spending a few bucks and buying new bolts for the exhaust. Trust me- you dont want to snap one off torquing the exhaust manifold down and have to yank it all apart...

Also make sure you buy new head bolts. Its a must.

Clean everything well. Grease it all up well.

BEFORE you pull the injectors out take an air gun or shop vac and blow ALL of the shit out of the lower intake. You dont want it in your engine. When reassembling the injectors into the lower intake spray the ends with WD40. That goes for any rubber to metal connection.. Works WONDERS.

[TxAlero]

thanks for the help-as right now everything is off down to the heads and the rear head gasket was bad:eek:
Im in the process of cleaning everything up. Oh and Im paining the UIM and valve covers black with silver 3400 SFI on top!!

[clutch1]

Sweet! Good to hear it's comin along!

[TxAlero]

Quick update everything is back together. I ran her a few times back and forth from work to see how well she does. The temp gauge stayed just shy of the middle!! Now with that said whats the best guess on how well this repair will last? 10,20,30K or more down the road?? And am I good to run it say over 100 miles in 100 degree heat? Oh and i got a real high pitched noise from the belt area thats going to be looked at this weekend? any ideas???

[jawa]

i had the high pitched noise too turned out to be the ac compressor bearings,

[Ryan from Ohio]

The repair should be permanent.

High pitch squeel = bad bearings in something. A/C compressor or alternator. Maybe idler pulley.

[rustyballs_69]

As long as the heads were torqued right and you don't overheat the motor the hg's will last well over 100k.

[TxAlero]

I figured out the noise. One of the screws on the upper intake was not screwed down tight. The bolt was the one in front of the spark plugs and was a bitch to get out. I finally figured out how to get back to it and it was lose by over 2/8"! Needless to say the noise went bye bye after the bolt was screwed on tight.