View Poll Results: How should I handle my head gasket R&R?
Pull the engine, you dummy! Are you kidding me?
46
66.67%
Do it in place. Get that thing back on the road in 3 weeks.
9
13.04%
Barr's Leaks and Amsoil - fixes everythign duct tape won't
9
13.04%
Ebay!
5
7.25%
Voters: 69. You may not vote on this poll
When replacing a head gasket: Pull the engine or do it in place?
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,269
Likes: 107
From: Arvada, CO
Plus, you can say you pulled the motor, which is pretty cool. Plus, you can really give it a good lookover. Plus, everyone who has done it says it's not that bad.
To me, pulling the heads would be only if I had just rebuilt the motor and knew everything else was perfectly fine. Especially on an engine with 10oK+ miles.
Matt
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 212
Likes: 0
From: Fairfax, VA
Pull the engine. The time used to pull the engine will be more than made up for during assembly. I did the heads in the engine and what a PIA when assembling. Pull the engine.
Big AL from VA
84 928S2 EURO twin distributor monster
Big AL from VA
84 928S2 EURO twin distributor monster
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Borat Impersonator
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Borat Impersonator
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From: St Augustine, FL
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,763
Likes: 124
From: London, UK
When you drop something down an oilway you will find it is easier to turn the engine upside down if it is on an engine stand...
The only reason for doing it 'engine in', is if you have no choice:
The only reason for doing it 'engine in', is if you have no choice:
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Joined: May 2001
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From: Las Vegas
Pull it and do both sides Andrew then you can address all the other little things you may want to do. Clean up the engine bay etc etc. You'll be suprised at what you can do with it out.
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Supercharged
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From: Back in Michigan - Full time!
Okay... I'll pull it. Does anyone have a descent writeup on how to pull the engine? What needs to be disconnected, etc? Pics are helpful too.
If not, I'll make one.
If not, I'll make one.
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From: Brighton, MI
The Maintenance & Adjustments manual for the '85 contains a detailed step-by-step procedure with pictures. I've not seen anything for later models, but the differences shouldn't be too big.
Unless someone has one for 87+ models, we should plan on making one. The '85 manual would be a good starting outline. With more than one person doing the work, documenting/photographing the process will be a bit easier.
The best idea I came away with was to always put the fasteners back in their mounting locations instead of plastic baggies. I didn't have any left over doing it this way.
Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 628
Likes: 0
From: Mill Creek, Wa
Just finished putting mine back in - Remove Clutch, slave cylinder, starter, motor mounts, disconnect fuel lines, grounds, remove radiator and water lines, remove wiring harness, if you have headers unbolt them, if not disconnect pipes, power steering hoses and altenator (I prefer to remove this before I pull the engine) Throttle body - ( I just disconnect the mounting bolts and lay it on the fender). That's about it...
Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 628
Likes: 0
From: Mill Creek, Wa
I agee with Big Dave on the bolts - I put them back in where I can - baggies where I can't - I also have a board that I make notes on -( black wire to top connector on front of throttle body, brown on bottom).. but I think about pulling the engine 3 times - I've pretty much got it down... or not..
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Supercharged
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From: Back in Michigan - Full time!
So I have to pull the clutch? I thought I could just slide the intermediate shaft back out of the pilot bearing. Bummer.
Step 2 for me is to pull the SCer.
Woops. Step 1.5 clean the garage!
Step 2 for me is to pull the SCer.
Woops. Step 1.5 clean the garage!