Emickelsen

Happened yesterday shortly after failing smog. The engine burbled a couple of times on acceleration, but then ran fine. Then yesterday got about 2 miles from the house and started smoking real bad!!. In the driveway, I noticed some oil spots under the car. Long story short, did some wiping on the under side of the engine, found the leak just above the oil filter.

Ok. So I did my searches, and my research as best I could. I'm 92.8% sure how I am going to go about this, but just want a little reassurance that my plan of action is sound. It's an '83 automatic. So this is what i'm thinking.

1. I'm good with tools and am mechanically able, so I plan to do the job myself. If for no other reason I think it would be fun and interesting. However being way up here in nowheres-ville, I will definetly be on my own.

2. I assume I can do it with out removing the engine (I hope)

3. I plan on doing the timing belt and water pump while I'm at it.

4. The only part I'm not sure of, is weather or not I should do the other side as well. I'm assuming it would be a good idea.

Thank you in advance for all Y'alls input and patience.

123quattro

I would definitely do both sides, and I would definitely pull the engine. It will save you time in the end.

blown 87

The engine has to come out, you have head studs on a 83, I would pull the engine even it it had bolts.

Rob Edwards

Since the engine's coming out, I've got an engine hoist, engine stand, and a bunch of the engine tools you can borrow, if you can figure out a way to get them from OC to Bakersfield and back. Holler back.

Ad0911

When the engine is out, it seems like a good idea to consider doing the TT bearings as well. And reseal the gearbox.

tlsmith1999

When the engine is out......... LOL there are too many WYAIT things that can come up. Good Luck. Oh, and check your upper A-arm bushing, the are WAY easier to replace with the engine out.

Emickelsen

Wow, thanks all. And thank you Rob, that's very generous!

Take the engine out hu? Damn, don't know if I can do that. Is it as hard as it seems? That may be a deal breaker. Why do the studs make it so much harder?

Again, thanks for all the great input.

blown 87

The studs are at the same angle as the V of the block, not enough room to get them over the studs with the engine in the car.

dprantl

Well, it is possible to remove the heads on a 16V engine with it in the car. I have even seen it done on an early 32-valve with studs where the heads are much larger, although that required some engine rocking to do it. But as others have said, you will save time and frustration by taking the engine out to do this job. It really is not that difficult to remove the engine.

Dan
'91 928GT S/C 475hp/460lb.ft

Rob Edwards

Not a big deal, I do it to all my cars If I can do it, so can you. Just gotta have the right tools. The cherry picker and stand are just taking up space, come and get them.

blown 87

i bet you have to really rock that puppy to get them out.
i stand corrected, it is possible to remove them.

Mike Simard

Taking the engine out opens up a world of possibilities, way too much fun to miss out!

BTW, your head gasket didn't "blow" but probably disintigrated from corrosion after years of various coolant conditions. That makes doing both sides important.

risaac928

Post pictures as you pull that engine.....if you can do it...heck I will try and do it (When the time comes)

Emickelsen

RATS! I guess out it comes.

Thanks rob. Here I come. I'll PM you for the address.

EXACTLY what I was thinking. Everything on that car is old and brittle. The PO let it sit way to long.

Excellent idea. I will do just that.

Thanks again guys. I really do appreciate it. HOO HOO, break out the Lava, time to get dirty.

Bart-Jan

At the moment, I'm in the middle of the same process as yours. I have the heads (and a lot of other stuff) removed, with th eengine still in the car. I had no problem at all removing the allen bolts and the heads over the studs. The only issue is, you cannot always see what you're doing, so you have to rely on what you feel. Once the cam towers are off, the exhaust manifods can easily be removed (I once tried removing them from the underside and THAT was a pain! I halfway stopped and assembled it again.

I would say: if you've never pulled an engine, just leave it in, take your time and just start. First buy some decent toolks if you haven't got them. I found a 1/4'' wrench set with short extension filts perfectly for the allen bolts. Once they're out, the rest is a matter of time; not difficult at all!

Good luck!