Head Job/Ring Job

fishonanon · 03-13-2008, 10:13 PM

Hi,

I just bought a 91 Geo. Did a compression test and showed bad compression. I pulled the head and yes the # 1 exhaust valve was bad. It was rebuilt and all the exhaust valves were replaced and is now ready to bolt on. I heard that a guy that buys these and gets them ready to sell also does a ring job. Will I be making a mistake buy not doing a ring job. I think the car has 150K.

Doug

dwendt1978 · 03-13-2008, 10:49 PM

You've torn into it that much I'd say just go for it.

Dr. Bill had the same thing happen, not even really knowing what he was doing and did a successful ring job as well. You can do it with the engine still in the car.

Dr. Bill's post was called "Flight of the Phoenix" if I'm not mistaking. He's reporting higher fuel mileage and oil that still looks new after 3k miles. You could get away with not doing it but heck your 80% there already.

livid4fish · 03-14-2008, 12:20 AM

Yes go for the ring job also. I just ordered all my parts today to do the same thing (Parts Dinosuar.com) he will take care of you. That way you can get new bearings (rods and mains) just might want to throw in a new oil pump, new head bolts also. With rings, gaskets,bearings, oil pump, bolts. It was 245.00 to the house. So with the price of your head job you are all brand new ready for lots of milage with little gas. And you know for sure what you have......

.......... good luck!

doug2060 · 03-14-2008, 12:59 AM

Yes, do the rings. I redone my head and valves after breaking a timing belt and wish I would have done the rings but I'm too lazy. Mine has bad compression too and after it burns oil to a low point starts cutting out. My oil looks like raw crude after 500 miles so while you're in there it will be well worth the trouble. You won't have to take the block out just go through the oil pan... Good luck!

91Caprice9c1 · 03-14-2008, 01:40 AM

Rings, Bearings & Oil Pump.

If your head bolts aren't stretched they're fine to reuse if you like. Otherwise replace them. Stretched bolts have a noticeably thin section in the middle of the threads.

-MechanicMatt

brivers · 03-14-2008, 08:15 AM

CHECK NEW HEAD GASKET TO MAKE SURE OIL DRAIN HOLE IN GASKET IS AS BIG AS HOLE IN HEAD OR BLOCK BEFORE INSTALLING. You'll be sorry if you don't. I did'nt and was.

human ills · 03-14-2008, 09:57 PM

I always thought that freshening the valves w/o a ring job would accelerate ring wear.

sbiddle · 03-15-2008, 11:28 AM

definitely do the ring job if you're going to fix the head. I made that mistake once with a '84 Honda Civic and it smokes so bad past the rings I was afraid the neighbors would call the fire department....live and learn.

91Caprice9c1 · 03-15-2008, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brivers

CHECK NEW HEAD GASKET TO MAKE SURE OIL DRAIN HOLE IN GASKET IS AS BIG AS HOLE IN HEAD OR BLOCK BEFORE INSTALLING. You'll be sorry if you don't. I did'nt and was.

All of our headgaskets are like this. The main thing to be concerned with is that your oil drains are clear of debris, and that you put the checkvavle back in before slappin the head on.

-MechanicMatt

leonbentz · 03-21-2008, 11:22 PM

I also highly recemend replacing the rear main seal as well. since you have it apart, may as well make sure everything is done. I know this, because at 207,000, my rear main seal crumbled like a piece of stale bread. The front and rear seals go out quicker than the bearings and rings, as I have found out. Truthfully, I think it's best to pull the block out and do it right. Once you have it stripped down to the block, it only weighs about 50 pounds. Unbolt it and lift her right out. The seals are what made me pull it down in the first place.

Just a good word of advice.

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