Head swap (what do i need)

[E30nub1]

Ok so i am thinking i am going to do a head swap.. just broke a gasket..and im not sure if anything is warped..or cracked....but still..i will probably try to tackle it here in the next month. one because i want more power and 2 because if heads are cracked... i dont want to pay to have it re surfaced and all of that crap. what are some tools and parts that i will need to get ..not sure how hard a head swap is.. but i just want to get prepared. also advice would be very helpful as well.

(i JUST replaced the timing belt /water pump less than 3 weeks ago.. is it really necessary to buy a new one with on that has been used so little?)

[StereoInstaller1]

1. Part of getting a head replaced is having the head tested. All machine shops do things in basically the same order: Inspect, clean, inspect, disassemble, inspect, pressure test, inspect, measure, inspect (catching the idea here yet?) do machine work, inspect...

The point is that you need to have your head done by a machine shop no matter what. Even if it came off a good motor, there is a possibility that is warped while coming apart, or that it had been shaved one too many times, or dropped or whatever.

At the very least, you want new valve guide seals. I got my GFs head done for $125 total: resurfaced, checked, cleaned, new valve guide seals, valves cleaned, etc.

I pulled all the studs first, got both intake and exhaust resurfaced too. Then I cleaned every single nut and wire wheeled every bolt, replaced any that were abused in any way...and now her car is a joy to work on!

Spend the time. Spend the money. It is way easier than car payments, right?

[E30nub1]

cool thanks for the info.. about how long will a head replacement take as far as the shop is concerned..b/c i am going out of town for about a week or 2 @ the end of april..i may do it then so when i come back all i have to do is replace the head...Is the head removal/reinstallation a hard job?

[llll1l1ll]

It took me three weeks 6 or so years ago when I was a senior in high school. I could only do it on the weekends.

It's a royal pain the majority of the time because every bolt is only accessible by mites and ticks.

It all fits together like Legos, though.

[StereoInstaller1]

Took me 3 days, but it came out spotless.

Before:


After:

[87-325ic]

that looks much better! good job cleaning.

The head swap is not too terribly hard. youll spend more time cleaning, and doing other bits, (like cleaning the gasket surfaces and tops of pistons, etc).
the "hardest part" for me was probably gettting the new headers bolted up, what a PITA!

only "specialty" stuff you need is the big wrench to get the fan clutch off,.

Its about as hard as the timing belt change, except you go another step further and pull the head off and replace it before the timing belt goes back on..
pretty simple stuff.

[E30nub1]

wow impressive.. spring break is coming up here soon.. perhaps..if i can gather funds..it would be something me and my friend could work on then... either the head or engine is getting replaced.I am gonna use some stop leak until then just to hold the flood back while i gather funds over the next few weeks ..b/c as my DD/project i cant really be without the car that gets me to work/school..

[StereoInstaller1]

Thanks, guys.

A total of about $300 into the mechanical aspect of the thing.

Now it needs CAs (1 of 4 balljoints bad, gonna do bothCAs intead) the interior STILL needs refinished and the car STILL needs paint!

Zinno needs base + clear IMO. My black car will get single, hell maybe even roller!