Doing my HG this weekend. what else should I do?

[steinbachphoto]

So just to be safe since I've seen a few symptoms of a HG leak I'm going to change it.

I've never done something so extensive but I have a garage full of tools and my step dad to help who has rebuilt a few engines before.

I'm going to order the head gasket set from Victor Reinz Victor Reinz Head Gasket Set

What else will I need? I'm assuming the TB should also be replaced, anything else I should replace/tune?

Also, is there any special tools that will be needed? I have the Bentley and it seems to be fairly thorough.

[Devil Inc]

You'll need a thin wrench for the fan pulley, I wanna say 30/32mm been awhile since I've tore into the engine in mine. Might wanna do the water pump, since you've got everything in that area apart. Maybe a new distributor cap, wires, and plugs, not really needed unless it's been a long time. Just one of those while you're in there things.

[blocke]

Read up on the VR head gaskets. Word is they are shit. OEM is the way to go there.
Are you going to have the head surfaced as well? What head bolts you using?

[steinbachphoto]

Read up on the VR head gaskets. Word is they are shit. OEM is the way to go there.
Are you going to have the head surfaced as well? What head bolts you using?

I wasn't planing on resurfacing unless it's noticeably warped. The engine is fairly low mileage, only 136k km's (~84.5k mi).


Just found a thread on e30tech about the VR's, scary! I'll see if I can find a place that sells OEM. being in Canada I only have 1 site I can really get parts from, and they only have VR. I'll see what I can find in town.

[blocke]

I wasn't planing on resurfacing unless it's noticeably warped. The engine is fairly low mileage, only 136k km's (~84.5k mi).


Just found a thread on e30tech about the VR's, scary! I'll see if I can find a place that sells OEM. being in Canada I only have 1 site I can really get parts from, and they only have VR. I'll see what I can find in town.

You should bring the head to a machine shop to get checked for straightness at least. Hate to do all that work and have it leak.

[jlevie]

I wasn't planing on resurfacing unless it's noticeably warped. The engine is fairly low mileage, only 136k km's (~84.5k mi).

Just found a thread on e30tech about the VR's, scary! I'll see if I can find a place that sells OEM. being in Canada I only have 1 site I can really get parts from, and they only have VR. I'll see what I can find in town.

The VR gasket set is fine. That is what I use when I build a race engine and none of those have had problems traceable to the choice of head gaskets.

I've yet to see a used head that was flat enough not to need at least a minimal surface cut (0.005"). If the head gasket on this engine failed causing you to need to pull the head it is almost certain that the head needs surfacing. While the head is off at the least you should replace the valve seals and at over 100k the valves should be ground. You should also change the cam seal and o-ring and you must use new head bolts. Use a new timing belt and tensioner and unless recently changed a new water pump and thermostat.

Oh yeah, while the head is off and and things are easy to get to, replace all cooling system hoses, the radiator, expansion tank, and cap. They may look okay, but by now (based on age and mileage) they are due.

[steinbachphoto]

The VR gasket set is fine. That is what I use when I build a race engine and none of those have had problems traceable to the choice of head gaskets.

I've yet to see a used head that was flat enough not to need at least a minimal surface cut (0.005"). If the head gasket on this engine failed causing you to need to pull the head it is almost certain that the head needs surfacing. While the head is off at the least you should replace the valve seals and at over 100k the valves should be ground. You should also change the cam seal and o-ring and you must use new head bolts. Use a new timing belt and tensioner and unless recently changed a new water pump and thermostat.

Oh yeah, while the head is off and and things are easy to get to, replace all cooling system hoses, the radiator, expansion tank, and cap. They may look okay, but by now (based on age and mileage) they are due.

Thanks, theres under 100k so I dont think I'll ground my valves, I'll do the seals though. Are they hard to do?

Do you know how much it is to get a head machined? and how long does it take them? It's my daily so I'm hoping for minimal down time.

[MR 325]

You should ABSOLUTELY have the head pressure tested and resurfaced, no exceptions.

You should ABSOLUTELY replace the head bolts with new ones.

Replacing the valve seals means complete disassembling the cylinder head. This is something you'd most likely want your machine shop to do. It's not something you HAVE to do but if you have the money I would recommend having the valves ground and the valve seals replaced.

[Chruby99]

True

I just did my hg. Sent the head in to get milled. at @ 140k I needed valve seats guides a valve grind assembly and disassembly. $600 later I am not happy with my shops rates. Did not suspect I needed anything more than decking the head. And hoses are a great idea. My fuel lines were dry rotted and the whole job was prompted by a blown hose and oil leaking from the head. I pulled and installed the head with the manifolds attached. Takes 2 guys to pull and set but makes it a lot easier to torque everything up to the head

[Chruby99]

Looking back I wish I threw down a few more hundred to buy one of the mystr-e or mr325 heads that come with a little porting

[MR 325]

Damn man, they hosed you for $600. We sell the ported/polished head with cam for $850 shipped!

[steinbachphoto]

You should ABSOLUTELY have the head pressure tested and resurfaced, no exceptions.

You should ABSOLUTELY replace the head bolts with new ones.

Replacing the valve seals means complete disassembling the cylinder head. This is something you'd most likely want your machine shop to do. It's not something you HAVE to do but if you have the money I would recommend having the valves ground and the valve seals replaced.

Is there anyway I can check them when I remove the head? I'd rather not fork the extra $$ if I don't have to, I'm trying to save up for Mexico next month.

[Cabriolet]

Is there anyway I can check them when I remove the head? I'd rather not fork the extra $$ if I don't have to, I'm trying to save up for Mexico next month.

This would be full retard. Listen to Mr325!!! if you don't improperly it will fail and you will be doing this again.

your head is warped! even the smallest amount(not visible to your eye). have it resurfaced.

The bolts used on the head are 1 time use ONLY.

VR head-gaskets are crap and their bolts are prone to failure. I have had personal experience with replacing that gasket. spend the extra $200 on quality stuff now and save the 3 days of work later.

[jlevie]

At the mileage you have on the engine the head could certainly use a valve grind and new seals. You could probably get by without doing that, but that would mean setting yourself up for another head job later. Cost wise the time to do it is now.

[steinbachphoto]

This would be full retard. Listen to Mr325!!! if you don't improperly it will fail and you will be doing this again.

your head is warped! even the smallest amount(not visible to your eye). have it resurfaced.

The bolts used on the head are 1 time use ONLY.

VR head-gaskets are crap and their bolts are prone to failure. I have had personal experience with replacing that gasket. spend the extra $200 on quality stuff now and save the 3 days of work later.

I was referring to if I have to do the valve seals. I'm going to find a machine shop in town and get it surfaced.