What should I buy and have prepared for the job? And should i buy just the valve cover gasket, and the head gasket (40 bucks total) , or should I go with the whole kit ($160+)?

 

I wouldn't replace all gaskets unless they need to be replaced.

Replacing a headgasket should take no more than an hour to do. I'd replace the valve cover gasket (if it needs to be replaced). You just simply remove the head bolts in a criss cross pattern, then lift up the head and replace the gasket, making sure it's lined up and properly in there with the dowel pins. Then put her back on!

Make sure the head bolts are torqued properly. I cannot remember the exact torque specs off hand. But the Helms manual definitely says this.

HTH.

 

wow took you an hour? Jeez, it took me forever to do a headgasket. So much crap to disconnect and reconnect. Taking out the cams and timing belt, adjusting valves....

Whats your secret?

 

lol, my friend is able to replace a headgasket on his ls/vtec in 45 minutes since he's blown the thing too many times

I just put it at TDC before I take the timing belt off the cam gears, remove the head bolts in a criss cross pattern, then grab a cherry picker and put that on the head only, and just lift the head up enough to take out he headgasket and replace it. then put her back together!

 

but you stil have to drain the coolant right since you need to take off the lines....

I just disconnected EVERYTHING and that took me close to an hour

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by poison &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I wouldn't replace all gaskets unless they need to be replaced.

Replacing a headgasket should take no more than an hour to do. I'd replace the valve cover gasket (if it needs to be replaced). You just simply remove the head bolts in a criss cross pattern, then lift up the head and replace the gasket, making sure it's lined up and properly in there with the dowel pins. Then put her back on!

Make sure the head bolts are torqued properly. I cannot remember the exact torque specs off hand. But the Helms manual definitely says this.

HTH.</TD></TR></TABLE>


Not to sound like an ***, but these are the words of a man who has never changed a head gasket.

Here's how I change head gaskets:

1. Remove everything that would keep the head from leaving your engine bay (Plug wires, injector plugs, vaccuum hoses, etc.). There is a bracket on the bottom of your intake manifold that is connected to the block, if not using a hoist, this can be a bitch to remove. Drain coolant
2. Remove valve cover, timing cover, cam caps (DOHC), cams (DOHC).
3. Mark your timing belt position.
4. Relieve tension on timing belt and move belt away from cam gear(s).
5. Remove exhaust manifold, this can be hard if it's never been removed.
6. Lift head off slowly, making sure everything is out of the way.
7. Send head to machine shop for 3-angle valve job, resurfacing, new seals, and cleaning. (Not necessary, but nice to do)
8. Thouroughly clean the surface of your block, I use an air sander to clean it.
9. Install new gasket, bolt head on in criss-cross pattern, put timing belt back on, replace exhaust manifold/valve cover gasket if necessary. Put everything else back on.
10. Change oil, add coolant, change thermostat, change plugs if you feel necessary, start your car, and congratulate yourself.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by slomofo &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Not to sound like an ***, but these are the words of a man who has never changed a head gasket.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I have replaced headgaskets. Not while inside a car. Good directions for replacing the headgasket inside a car.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by slomofo &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">


Not to sound like an ***, but these are the words of a man who has never changed a head gasket.

Here's how I change head gaskets:

1. Remove everything that would keep the head from leaving your engine bay (Plug wires, injector plugs, vaccuum hoses, etc.). There is a bracket on the bottom of your intake manifold that is connected to the block, if not using a hoist, this can be a bitch to remove. Drain coolant
2. Remove valve cover, timing cover, cam caps (DOHC), cams (DOHC).
3. Mark your timing belt position.
4. Relieve tension on timing belt and move belt away from cam gear(s).
5. Remove exhaust manifold, this can be hard if it's never been removed.
6. Lift head off slowly, making sure everything is out of the way.
7. Send head to machine shop for 3-angle valve job, resurfacing, new seals, and cleaning. (Not necessary, but nice to do)
8. Thouroughly clean the surface of your block, I use an air sander to clean it.
9. Install new gasket, bolt head on in criss-cross pattern, put timing belt back on, replace exhaust manifold/valve cover gasket if necessary. Put everything else back on.
10. Change oil, add coolant, change thermostat, change plugs if you feel necessary, start your car, and congratulate yourself.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

thanks alot for the help, are there many gaskets that need changing or should i just buy the head gasket?