Replacing head gasket - Pull engine
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: London, Ontario, Canada
Replacing head gasket - Pull engine
Good evening,
It seems I've unfortunately purchased a lemon, I had my mechanic check it out but he seems to have missed a few critical items. I just finished replacing the front end stuff (Front crankshaft seal, harmonic balancer, tensioner & pulleys, power steering pulley) and I noticed air bubbles in the surge tank. After multiple attempts at bleeding I brought my car to another mechanic to complete a block test, which failed. I was advised it was likely a bad head gasket.
So I've pulled the car off the road for the summer and have started disassembling the top end of the motor. Today I got the first head off, and about 50% done the other. The passenger side head and the engine is just covered in oil...... My question is - Do I just drop and rebuild the motor? . I have a whole bunch of time but I'm looking to keep a tight budget.
Curious to hear everyone's thoughts!
Edit: I should also add I have access to a 2 post hoist, but have very limited experience on anything internal.
It seems I've unfortunately purchased a lemon, I had my mechanic check it out but he seems to have missed a few critical items. I just finished replacing the front end stuff (Front crankshaft seal, harmonic balancer, tensioner & pulleys, power steering pulley) and I noticed air bubbles in the surge tank. After multiple attempts at bleeding I brought my car to another mechanic to complete a block test, which failed. I was advised it was likely a bad head gasket.
So I've pulled the car off the road for the summer and have started disassembling the top end of the motor. Today I got the first head off, and about 50% done the other. The passenger side head and the engine is just covered in oil...... My question is - Do I just drop and rebuild the motor? . I have a whole bunch of time but I'm looking to keep a tight budget.
Curious to hear everyone's thoughts!
Edit: I should also add I have access to a 2 post hoist, but have very limited experience on anything internal.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 2,555
Likes: 1,213
One potential issue is you have not definitively narrowed the issue to head gasket. What if it's actually a cracked block and you go through the work of the top end and have the same problem when you put it back together?
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: London, Ontario, Canada
That's a very good point - I don't think it's too much more work to drop the drivetrain and lift the engine out for further inspection.
Path forward:
1 - Drop drivetrain
2 - Buy engine stand/ mount engine
3- Degrease/clean engine, inspect for any fractures/damage. I'm going to enlist a professional for the latter step lol.
assuming no damage to the block if I already have the engine out:
4- buy a kit like linked below and begin! http://www.ws6project.com/user_stor/...oducts_id=8564
As far as power upgrades go, I know I mentioned the budget was a little light. But if I have the drivetrain out what's the best bang for buck power upgrades?
Thanks guys,
Path forward:
1 - Drop drivetrain
2 - Buy engine stand/ mount engine
3- Degrease/clean engine, inspect for any fractures/damage. I'm going to enlist a professional for the latter step lol.
assuming no damage to the block if I already have the engine out:
4- buy a kit like linked below and begin! http://www.ws6project.com/user_stor/...oducts_id=8564
As far as power upgrades go, I know I mentioned the budget was a little light. But if I have the drivetrain out what's the best bang for buck power upgrades?
Thanks guys,
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,989
Likes: 198
From: Meriden CT
Look closely at the head gaskets in the areas between the pistons and all of the water passages for an obvious breach. The mating surfaces of the block and heads also in those areas might reveal evidence like slight erosion of the metal.
