M42 Head / Cleaning and Placement

[hamann318is]

I'm pulling the head of the E30 tomorrow, and I was wondering what's the correct method of orienting and cleaning the head.

From what I've gathered, I need to be extremely careful to not nick the surface of the head. I was planning on storing the head on it's side, where the timing case is. For cleaning, I was going to use some Brakleen and rags. I was also going to do the same on the block and piston surfaces. I also know to use the compressor to ensure that no oil/water gets in the holes for the head bolts. Hopefully I will not have to fix pitting, but if I do, is JB Weld and sanding the correct method?

I want to have the head off and back on tomorrow. I have all the new gaskets and bolts, and I am prepared to clean for a while. I just want to make sure I'm doing it right.

[hamann318is]

Anyone? Anyone?

[rs4pro3]

Take it to a machine shop to get cleaned, and the surface checked for flatness.
Or at the very least run a Flat edge across the surface and make sure the head is flat. As for cleaning, simple green and a wire brush for the outside work good.
And ya either sit the head on it's side, upside down, or on a couple 2x4's to make sure the open valves aren't setting on anything.

[nando]

I'm doing the same thing today. good luck :)

[nickmp0wer]

you should get it ploished and stuff too

[hamann318is]

Given the car's mileage, I'm going to stick with a simple cleaning. I'm pulling the head to replace the timing profile gasket; cleaning isn't the greatest of concerns.

On the head's surface, is it okay to use a plastic brush and some brake cleaner? With regard to the block... Do I just need to clean the piston surfaces and the mating surface?

[rs4pro3]

Ya just use something soft on the cylidner head, as for the block pick up a Flat gasket scraper and just make sure all old gasket residue is gone, and blow out the cylidner bores and headbolt holes(cover you arms and face and anything else you don't want oil on). I've never worried to much about pistons but a small wire brush can break up a lot of crud then just blow it off. Just be carefull not to scrach the cylidner bores.

[Henna Red]

thats one of the dumbest things ive ever heard. go take it and have it machined and steam cleaned. no sense in cleaning it by hand and installing it with a NEW headgasket set, which prolly ocst you $150+ and not have it machined. i did my m42 headgasket a while back, it cost me $60 to machine [head and timing case], pressure and leak down test, and steam clean.

if you do take, make sure they dont ;hot tank' it, cause that will kill your vlave seals.

there are times to skimp on money, this is not one of them, besides, i bet youll spend more then 60 bucks on supplies

[finch]

doing the same to mine. it got warped. had it machined..

whats the best way to clean the throttle body, afm?

[nando]

no reason to have it machined if it's not warped. :roll:

[hamann318is]

no reason to have it machined if it's not warped. :roll:

It's just a profile gasket change.

Today is the big day. Let's hope nothing goes wrong. :)

[trent]

Reguardless of if the car wasn't overheated or not, SEND IT OUT TO GET A LEAKDOWN DOWN AND CHECK IF IT NEEDS TO BE RESURFACED! DON'T BE A HACK!

[bddog]

Don't forget to oil up the cylinder walls, turn the block over by hand and clean all the crud that sticks to the top. I always use a little wire brush on a drill-- carefully. Have fun.

[Henna Red]

gasket set $150
cleaning supplies $40
hours into the project 6

realizing you fucked up and should of spent $60 to have the head machined... priceless

what a hack :roll: