Head Gasket Repair!!!!!!!!!! WTF!!!!

[1998v8sho]

Well for a while I have been chasing the cause of my passenger side smoke on my 1994 3.2 ATX. Recently I had done a FULL upper, lower, and front 60K. Today I jack up the car once again and see fresh motor oil on the cats, tranny pan, and the oil pan. Cleaned everything off and started her up. Went back under and saw the oil leaking right from where the head meets the block. After a few curse words and a few smokes and a couple of beers, I realize that this I will be doing a head gasket repair.

I ordered the head gasket and head bolts from Rockauto.com. I know that the head bolts for a Gen II are reusable unlike the Gen III. But I might as well, they are not that expensive.

It is odd that the head gasket on my Gen II should fail. I thought that would last. I am figuring that since I am the second owner of the car, the car could have over heated at one point and the head might, and I pray might, be slightly warped.

Has anyone changed the rear (right) head gasket before? Any tips would be greatly appreciated. I know that I should keep everything organized and take my time.

Anyone near Haverford, Pennsylvania that can help?

I really like the car and would love to keep it for a long time.

Thanks in advance!

 

[SHOtime2511]

If it was me,I'd pull the motor so I could work it without getting ****** off.

 

[1998v8sho]

I hear ya. At times like this or any other I wish I had a lift in my driveway.

 

[pitaSHO]

Yes. I've done a couple of rear head gaskets, and it's not that bad. Of course the timing belt comes off, the crossover tube that connects the heads comes off, the fuel rail comes out, and the cam gears and rear timing cover comse off. You can cheat and not remove the cams if you have a 10mm long allan wrench. Use a 10mm deep well 1/2" drive socket with the 10mm allan and it will reach past the cams and give you enough bite to get them out. Once the bolts are broken loose they just unscrew by hand. Make sure the mating surfaces are clean and the head's not broken. I would also recommend fuel injector seals at this point. Other than the head gasket you will need fuel injector seals, a complete water pump gasket kit (other than the water pump gasket, of course), which will include the two o-rings for the crossover tube, cam seals if you want to change those while the whole thing is apart, and coolant; don't forget to drain the coolant first. I would also recommend having a buddy help you lift the head out; it's heavy, especially with the exhaust manifold still attached.

Hope this helps.

Chris K.

 

[rubydist]

before I tore the head off, I would make sure that was really coming from the head gasket, because these cars commonly leak in that area from the 1) rear cam seal and 2) power steering pump. fully diagnose the leak to ensure you don't fix the wrong thing.

 

[1998v8sho]

I looked all over to make sure that the leak was not a head gasket. Like I said I did a FULL 60K on the SHO and nothing else is leaking except for the gasket.

Thanks for the input Chris. Just waiting for the gasket and the bolts to come.

 

[SeanMc]

PM Area91, he runs the PA SHOShop. I've heard his work is excellent.

 

[1998v8sho]

Thanks man!

 

[1998v8sho]

Just tried sending Area91 a PM. PM did not go through because his box is full. Is there a e-mail or a number for him? Send me a PM.

Thanks!

 

[NORMAN]

You might also want to try the "Contacting SHOForum.com members" section under the Open forums in index.

 

[Gez89SHO]

1998v8, when were you planning to do the work? Haverford isn't too far from me.