Suggestions wile replacing head gasket???

[Bimmer_man]

I will be replacing my head gasket and I have never done this before and am willing to learn it. I have the tools so. What would People recommend i do wile I'm ripping into this thing? It is a eta engine and I'm not looking for horsepower just improve reliability and overall mileage. I was thinking on replacing the pistons with lighter pistons and such but I'm not sure. Bavauto has those MaxSil pistons. I also plan on just replacing all the top end and lower end gaskets wile im at it and its out of the car. So what would you do wile the engine is torn down?

[monsterm20]

New valve guides,valve stem seals, 3 angle valve seat grind, machine the mating surface, new valve spring and new valves. If you want to measure your springs and valves a micrometer and a valve spring measurement tool can be bought at autozone. Pistons from wiseco are just under 1k and from VAC they are just over 1k. Are you doing bottom end or just head?

[Bimmer_man]

thats a bit more than i want to do lol ill be eventually replacing the whole thing with a S54. I just dont have the funds for the S54 yet.

[Bmwb]

just do the simple , regular replacements , belts , waterpump , machine cylinder head , gaskets and anything that should and can be replace while your in there so you dont end up with problems in the end , no need for what he said if your gonna be doing a swap soon , make sure to clean the blocks mating surface very good , and its good to machine the cylinder head but some people dont , get the OEM gasket , aswell and your good

[Bimmer_man]

just do the simple , regular replacements , belts , waterpump , machine cylinder head , gaskets and anything that should and can be replace while your in there so you dont end up with problems in the end , no need for what he said if your gonna be doing a swap soon , make sure to clean the blocks mating surface very good , and its good to machine the cylinder head but some people dont , get the OEM gasket , aswell and your good

thanks ill do that

[Bmwb]

blocks a pain to clean as im still sitting here waiting for new cleaning products to grab , measuring for straightness is also key to what your doing so you know there is no warpage any were , that's were the machine shop comes in they will test all of that for you , and np , the blocks surface doesn't have to look clean just everything has to be gone , so that its smooth and the gasket will stick with no problems when the head goes back on .

[Bimmer_man]

blocks a pain to clean as im still sitting here waiting for new cleaning products to grab , measuring for straightness is also key to what your doing so you know there is no warpage any were , that's were the machine shop comes in they will test all of that for you , and np , the blocks surface doesn't have to look clean just everything has to be gone , so that its smooth and the gasket will stick with no problems when the head goes back on .

awesome thanks ill get some info from some locals as to where to bring my car so i know I am getting quality work done.

[jlevie]

The only work on the head that is mandatory is to have surfaced. It may only need a minimal (0.005") cut. But having the valves ground and new seals will be well worth the additional cost.