Head Gasket Gone

[Tank]

Woohoo, I blew my head gasket and learned a very valuble lesson about boost, fuel and timing, dont get crazy with the timing!
But the bright side is Charlie is going to go through my turbo while the car is down and I have a perfect opportunity to replace the cracked E3 with a non cracked E6.

[Tank]

Its amazing just how difficult it was for me to figure out how to even start, I just picked a spot and started wrenching. I must admit, I would much rather change head gaskets out on a V8 but thats because I've already done it several times but gimme a few more learning curves on the SVO and I'll probably be ok with changing them on the I4.

[Horsewidower]

After you do it the fourth time, it'll be down to a few hours.

The v-ate heads are closer to the fenders so there's less lower back pain in lifting them.

Use an engine hoist.

Us medium to old guys need to stick together.

[Tank]

Use an engine hoist.

Us medium to old guys need to stick together.

Hahaha, thats funny. I saw a post about using that tecnique, brilliant, sad thing is there was one behind me the whole time I was hurting my back. I've never been accused of being the sharpest tool in the shed oh well.

[TheViking]

Once you understand what doesn't need to be removed to lift the head it's a great deal easier. I use a pair of motorcycle handlebar straps around the camshaft which helps a great deal when placing or removing the head.

http://www.uscargocontrol.com/Ratchet-Straps-Tie-Downs/Motorcycle-Straps/Motorcycle-Handle-Bar-Strap-18-Pair-Black;jsessionid=K4y1MhTLJSPQ3DXVxNchQXSn9BT5t6XFBbhymLzhtRjjpnBJ3Mpbrkf5v1X2MyZLnz8h8XfC1crsVC8VNN8JLgnm7qWf627WgWVkWjvMDQ19LnTw2PJlVPdhQkRQzhQv!-2143160721

Unless of course you built like SVOeric, in which case you'll still need the engine hoist

[gbeaird]

Yeah, Aluminum heads are a lot nicer to change the gasket on.

When I had to do the one on ours, I was told to unhook the downpipe from the turbo outlet, pull the IC and then lift the whole assembly off the car. I chose to pull the manifolds and even then, it took all I had to get into the engine compartment, lift the head off the engine and hand it to my wife who was standing out of the engine compartment. I'd love to someday put an aluminum head on our car, but that won't happen soon.

As others have said, while it really doesn't matter if you pull the head with or without the manifolds, you're discs will thank you to use an engine hoist. Good luck, I found the biggest hassle was getting all the timing marks lined up right on the cam and dist gear. Oh, and if you've never done this before, don't forget to use a thread sealer on the cam bolt, or you'll get a really nasty oil leak.

[TheViking]

Personally I find it easiest to leave the turbo/exhaust manifold on the car and the lower intake on the head. I've done the timing so many times I guess it doesn't even register anymore. Good point on the cam bolt, and don't forget to tighen it to spec or you'll have a bigger oil leak when it comes loose.

Not that that's ever happened to me...

[Horsewidower]

I've done my share of cussing when trying to get the lower intake manifold back on with the head in the car. The lower bolts under the manifold are a real pain.

[Tank]

I plan on reinstalling the lower intake and header and probably the header while the head is outside the car, they all make great handles when you have two people. Now to the cam bolt, I guess I'm not sure what you are reffering to. I will do a search on this, thanks for the HEADS up----hahaha I made a funny all puns intended.

[Tank]

Aluminum to the rescue!!

Yeah in my dreams but it would be nice!

[JTurbo]

Ok, so where's the pics????

[Tank]

Ok, so where's the pics????

Which pics would you be reffering to?

[NavySVO]

The cam sprocket bolt runs through an oil passage.
You will only need to seal the threads of the cam sprocket bolt if you remove it. You won't need to remove the bolt or the sprocket to change a head gasket.

[Tank]

The cam sprocket bolt runs through an oil passage.
You will only need to seal the threads of the cam sprocket bolt if you remove it. You won't need to remove the bolt or the sprocket to change a head gasket.

Thats what I thought the guys were reffering to, no I didnt have a need to take it out, but I got reminded about the reinstallation of the timing belt, cringe, on this thread, havent done one of those yet but I am certain I can do it.

[NavySVO]

Thats what I thought the guys were reffering to, no I didnt have a need to take it out, but I got reminded about the reinstallation of the timing belt, cringe, on this thread, havent done one of those yet but I am certain I can do it.

It is easy if you just take your time and think it through