Temporary Headgasket fix...

[NateS]

Thanks guys. I did not get around to doing the timing tonight. I cleaned off the head and the block with a gasket scraper. I think I got it pretty good but, I am not sure on how clean it should be. I think my brother has some engine degreaser that I might use tommarow real quick before I install the head gasket and the timing belt. BTW I could not find a 11m 1.25 tap for the head studs. I am still not sure how I am going to clean out the head stud holes. Oh and yes the nuts slid right off the studs haha I didn't even try thinking it was going to be hard at first.

If I was thinking when I was loosening the head stud nuts, when I saw the stud came loose I should have loosened the nut then screwed the stud back in. Now, I have to figure out how to clean out the hole and make sure all the oil and/or coolant is out of the holes.

[ez1286]

I don't know how fast you need this done but i have a oem head gasket i'll sell to you for cheap $15 plus shipping, i can ship express if you want.

[NateS]

I already bought a fel-pro headgasket a few days ago. I plan on getting this project finished up or damn near close to it tommarow. Thanks for the offer anyway.

[blk_srt]

you said liquid fell in the hole right? Why dont you just blow it all out with an air gun, thats what I did

[NateS]

Good idea. I was thinking about shop vacing it out with a home made funnel. Blowing it out sounds alot easier. Thanks.

[NateS]

Wow, this job is turning into a real pain in the ass. The head is ready to go and I am just trying to get to the timing belt. I have the water pump pully off, and the crank pully off. I got two belts off but I there is still one other belt that is wedged in there and I can't get it off. Also I can't pull off the lower timing belt cover. It looks like there is a pully that is holding it on towards the middle of the motor. I gave up because I was working on it for like 6 hours straight today by myself. I'm going to look up some pictures and what not tonight and continue work on it tommarow.

[ez1286]

You have to take off the water pump pulley/ power steering pulley, there are 4 10mm bolts on the front of the pulley unfortunetely it is much easier to get the bolts off with the belts still on but it is manageable still. If you have a strap wrench (if not get one they are very useful) use that to hold the pulley while you take them off.

[NateS]

I already got the water pump pully off and the crank pully. I figured I have to take off the power steering pully but, I think I also have to get the a/c pully off too. I tihnk that is the pully that is holding the cover on.

[NateS]

Okay, so I have all the timing belt off finally. I can't get the no. 1 piston tdc. I believe the center two pistons are to be tdc but, my head is on. The info from VFAQ shows doing a timing belt job with the head on and using timing marks on the camshaft sprocket. Only problem is that I can not find the timing marks. I found a knotch on the back plate on the sprocket but, no where for it to line up at. I'm giving up for now untill advanced auto parts gets there shit together and orders a Hains manuel for me. (its been a week now and they still haven't gotten it in yet). A friend of mine has done 3 timing jobs on dsms already and I was told if I hook him up with a couple bucks he would probably help me. Right now I'm just depressed that my dsm is not running... still.

[gthompson97]

If I was you I would have your friend help you. Not necessarily do it for you, but show you what to do the right way so you dont' fuck up and cost yourself a head at the very least. I'd rather pay my buddy $20 for 2 hours and help me put my shit back together than spend $500 to get a head fixed. Just my

[NateS]

Yeah I am probably getting my buddy to help me but, as for the head the head that I'm building is not the one on my car now. Tommarow my money goes through and I am getting a stock head off of these forums from a member to do all the work on. The thing that would suck is if didn't time it right and fucked up some pistons... the head is well expendable lol.

[gthompson97]

Originally Posted by Just a GSX fan

Yeah I am probably getting my buddy to help me but, as for the head the head that I'm building is not the one on my car now. Tommarow my money goes through and I am getting a stock head off of these forums from a member to do all the work on. The thing that would suck is if didn't time it right and fucked up some pistons... the head is well expendable lol.

You really have to try to wreck the pistons if you time it wrong. I've only seen 2 DSMs that wrecked pistons out of like the 15+ that I've heard of bending valves cause of timing. Just ask me or Thor. We've both replaced many sets of vales and not yet punched a hole in the piston.

[NateS]

haha well thats good to know.

[Black99GST]

wow, i was thinking of doing ARP's and an New Headgasket... but that just sounds like hell to me, would it be worth my time to just take it in to the shop? i've never messed with anything that has to do with timing, i have taken off a head before, but then a friend came to help put it back together... i have a hanes manual, think i could concure this beast on my own? or is it better for the car to hit the shop?

[NateS]

Well I am picking up my hanes manuel tonight. After I get that I'll let you know but, as of now I would say if you don't want to spend alot of time and dedication learning and breaking shit then get a shop to do it. Everyone says the hanes manual is a big help though so we will see. The head isn't the hard part. Replacing the headgasket and dealing with the head was actually fairly simple. The thing that sucks is the timing belt job you get conned into doing with the damn dohc. I'll let you know later tonight about the hardness of this job, as of now I'd say let the people who get paid to do it handle it.