Head gasket replacement 89 vert
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Tulare Ca
Head gasket replacement 89 vert
New owner here and need to replace my head gasket. Wondering if anyone can share the pages of a FSM for tackling this task. I am mechanically inclined but never have done this before. Would appreciate the help and please let me know what I need to look for when I tear this down example: heads, rods and any special tools I may need, thanks. Oh and I did a compression check and test showed a range from 140-160 as it seems I have blow by because with the radiator cap off it blows coolant out and when I run the car it even blows out of the overflow tank. So I am guessing it is the head gasket. One more thing too is occasionally on start up I hear a loud knock but when I rev the engine it goes away (could this be a stuck valve? if so how do you fix), thanks for any help
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
What year? The FSM for my 96 isn't all that detailed on removing the heads to change the gaskets.
It'll say things like 'remove the valve covers', but doesn't say what size tool is needed to do that, see what I mean? It says "what" to do, but not necessarily "how".
Much of it is common sense though and for any time you get stuck, we can walk you through what needs to be done.
BTW, are you SURE you have a blown head gasket? I'd hate to see you tear apart the engine only to find the cause is a stuck thermostat.
Did you do a coolant system pressure test? If you didn't, AutoZone loans the tool.
I believe the knocking is a separate issue though.
Jake
It'll say things like 'remove the valve covers', but doesn't say what size tool is needed to do that, see what I mean? It says "what" to do, but not necessarily "how".
Much of it is common sense though and for any time you get stuck, we can walk you through what needs to be done.
BTW, are you SURE you have a blown head gasket? I'd hate to see you tear apart the engine only to find the cause is a stuck thermostat.
Did you do a coolant system pressure test? If you didn't, AutoZone loans the tool.
I believe the knocking is a separate issue though.
Jake
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,482
Likes: 3
From: Carmichael ca
You can buy a block tester kit at most parts stores. That will tell you for sure if you have a bad headgasket. The job is fairly straight forward. You will need some torx sockets to disassemble the intake manifold. If you've ever done a SBC, you won't have any problems.
