MyBlackCar

We need to have a group for those of us who have done the Head Gasket replacement.

Share your experiences on the good and "colorful expression" experiences.

Currently, I have the cam tower off and using penetrating oil and a 3lb sledge to wake the head bolts.

streckfu's

I used a 4 ft breaker bar to 'wake up' the head nuts. I found it to be easier than I thought....with the exception of the left over parts..... Just kidding.

I did most of the cursing when trying to bolt up the header to the cross over pipe. Finally, let the wife handle it. I'm not kidding.

PeteL

Member here. Minimal blood lost, lots of "colorful" language used. 5 foot breaker bar on a head bolt, and a huge oil leak on startup, as I did a poor job of cleaning the mating surfaces of the cam tower. Doh!

MyBlackCar

Where did you guys get breaker bars longer than 2 ft!? I am planning to ghetto rig an extension with a water pipe to my 18" breaker bar.

streckfu's

I went to Home Depot and bought a 4 ft section of threaded pipe that my 1/2" socket drive would fit inside of. Since then, I bought dedicated breaker bar.

pa944red

That would only get you a 3.5' breaker bar. I prefer my 625 ft. lb. impact gun.

Two headgaskets here and a third on the way. So far my biggest mistake was throwing away the bolts for the belt covers

Tom

streckfu's

Works great on the crank bolt as well. It was enough to get off the head nuts.

pa944red

"Works great on the crank bolt as well. It was enough to get off the head nuts.
__________________
Daniel"


The first one I did I had about a 3' breaker bar and pipe combo, and it worked great.

But I have to say, air tools are just too much fun

And serisously, how do you get your wife out in the garage to help you?

Tom

streckfu's

LOL. It started with her helping out by holding the wrench on he exhaust nuts while I tightened the bolts from above the header. After several minutes of struggling with the 6th bolt (the last one I got to was in between the headers and a bitch to get to) she insisted on trying it herself. It took her a whole beer but she's compulsive enough that she got it.

She helps out in the garage occasionally but I think that has more to do with being sick of seeing the car on jackstands than a desire to help.

75ohm

You guys... LOL. Man up and get that crank bolt of with a regular old craftsman 1/2" driver.

PB blaster is like robitussin, it works on everything.

streckfu's

Man Up, Bull$it.... Just because you torque yours to 155in. lbs.....

Headhunter

Member here as well. You may have seen my posts on the subject here and here.

It actually wasn't too terrible. I'd do it again if someone paid me enough.

75ohm

Bring it on junior - I've got a witness.

Headhunter

True story (it was my car actually). But dude, didn't you have to stand on it or something and nearly break your leg? I don't remember, too many beers.

75ohm

Okay, we have to get this right for Streckfu so he can bust my chops some more...

It was on my car when we did the belts/seals/pump job. I was on the passenger's side of the car shouting some ludicrous obscenity that included many references to bad mother's and their unlawful carnal knowledge... I thought I was going to either cave in the front quarter panel or blow blood vessels in my eyes -- one or the other if there was another 10 seconds worth...

But it was with a craftsman 1/2" driver, only because I bet headhunter I could do it...

And then we drank more.