m20b25 head gasket replacement/machine shop question. question

[Prod. 7/87]

So I've decided that since my front end is all apart its about time to replace my head gasket that has a slow leak. Once I've got my engine cracked open I'm going to need to take the head in to get checked for head warp. my question is can this be done without removal of my intake/exhaust manifolds? The head has been recently rebuilt (last 50,000mi) by the PO. I'm assuming that of coarse everything needs to come off in the event that It needs to be decked but, to have them check for warp, does it need to be completely naked? If this is a stupid question, please go easy.. and i seached youtube, google, bing, r3v, couldnt find any answers, so i figured why not, first post..

[DesertBMW]

you can remove the cylinder head with intake and exhaust manifolds still attached to it. Then the surface of the head can be checked for warpage without removing any of those parts. Don't use victor reinz head gasket.

[Cabriolet]

so recently i've just been taking my heads to the machine shop complete. let them regrid the valves/seats, but new seals on and pressure test and machine the head. should cost about $200. and well worth it. then you just clean the block and slap the head on. keep in mind you will need to to set the engine to top dead center, replace the timing belt/waterpump/Tstate and cooling hoses. use bosch copper spark plugs, contitech timing belt and tension, BMW headbolts and BMW or Goetze head gasket. i get the erling headgasket set for all the seals you need to replace.

[Prod. 7/87]

thanks guys, I just got done with the timing belt before I decided to do this (@ss backwards, I know) so i figured why not do a head gasket. The thing is, I already have a victor reinz head gasket on hand, from before anyone told me any difference. Are they really considered garbage enough to not use one I've already spent the $$? From what I've gathered reading posts, some say use a VR and others say only Goetze. is having the valve regrind/seats serviced really necessary? the whole engine was overhauled around 50-60,000mi ago, and the whole valvetrain being replaced at the same time. I've got Arp Studs for the head and New Bosch ignition wires and w8lcr plugs on the way.

[Cabriolet]

i've thrown away 4 VR headgaskets this year, still in plastic. the rest of the kit isnt terrible but their HG is something never to use.

if you push you car. the VR headgasket will let go w/in 10k miles

[Prod. 7/87]

Lmao, Understood then! but what do you say as far as valve seals/regrind. its just getting its second timing belt i assume, and 50k total since overhaul, is that just something that you have done along side head gasket failure as routine. or is it not a major concern in my case. believe me i can and will throw 200$ at the damn thing if i need to, i just want to make sure its Needed before i get a valve job on new valves.. and thanks for the advice. I will remember Goetze. its better i learn this now, im planning on FI in the quite distant future. once i put 4k away to do it correctly

[jlevie]

In my experience, a head that has been in service (with no overheats) always has enough warp to justify a minimal surfacing cut.