tips/tricks for head gasket replacment

[SVOinDC]

my obsession started when I opened the radiator cap... the rest is debt...I mean history!!

Mine RE-started when I decided that "that car" I really really wanted when I graduated HS passed me on the way to Dulles last November.

I have not found out who that was yet, It was red, it was quiet, and it was at 100 plus.

[BrianO]

parts just arrived.. I may try and do the valve stem seals tonight in the garage.. it's too cold out to do anything else.. 45 degrees!!

[NavySVO]

it's too cold out to do anything else.. 45 degrees!!

[NY eric]

parts just arrived.. I may try and do the valve stem seals tonight in the garage.. it's too cold out to do anything else.. 45 degrees!!

it was 45 in my garage after the heat was on all day.

I CANT WAIT TILL SPRING!!!

BTW glad the parts made it there ok. I hate not using the right size box.

[BrianO]

I want to get this back together soon, but wondering if I should have the head checked and get a valve job??.. money is tight and turn around won't be quick...hmmm

[Alex L]

I want to get this back together soon, but wondering if I should have the head checked and get a valve job??.. money is tight and turn around won't be quick...hmmm

you sending this off to bo, or going local? my machine shop had my head back in my hands in under 24 hours for a mid workup. ( milled the deck and exhaust surfaces, 3 angle valve job, dipped and setup the valve train ) think it ended up being like $125.

[BrianO]

besides living around the corner from motion dynamics, the local machine shop is next door to them so I may do that..

[BrianO]

this may be a dumb question.. I'm used to pedestal style rocker arms with a nut securing them to the head.. the SVO ones don't seem to have any bolts or anything securing them except the pressure of the spring holding it against the cam.... to remove it would I just compress the spring and then slide the rocker out? I haven't started yet, but I got a spring compressor and all..

[SVOeric]

yep, that's the deal..
it's the pressure of the lifter that holds the rocker on the cam. not the spring pressure. there should actually be SOME (check the spec) clerance betewen the rocker and the cam with the lifter compressed.

[Bouncer88]

Also a good tip that I found out when putting the rockers back in the assembly is that when the springs and retainers and all that hoop-la is in place you can wiggle the rocker arm under the cam so that the tip is over the lifter and then you can just rotate the cam shaft and they slap right in place.

Seemed a hell of a lot easier than compressing the springs and lifters and all that nonsense.

[NavySVO]

KD part number 3087 Valve spring compressor

[BrianO]

I have a different compressor since the head is off, but that one works well with the head still on.

cool, I figured from looking at it they were held in by the tension. shouldn't be that difficult to do the stem seals.

[BrianO]

well, weather is supposed to be nice tomorrow so I can get the SVO back together. Pinks All Out is in town, but I sold my tickets.. should be great weather for them though. Watch for a friend of mine in her pink 95 GT.. consistant 10's.

[boostedbruiser]

Wish i was home and the SVO trans was still in working order. i would have liked to see the pinks all out.

[BrianO]

I'll find out when it's supposed to air.. lots of friends trying out for it.