94' Cadillac Deville Head Gasket Replacement

[onefastlt1]

ANy Helpful tips on replacing head gaskets on a 94 cadillac concourse deville 32v Northstar? Special tools or any special tips?

[free07110]

this is not something your average guy cannt do in his garage. you must fist drop the motor through the bottom (cradle,transmission and engine together) ask any tech that works on cadillac its the fastest and easiest way. to do this you will need a car lift. you must understand that the northstar has four cams and timing it a fun one. when removing your head bolts chances are you will have to heli coil them. that means drill out old treads and insert new treads and new head bolts. 50/50 chance they will hold and torque but sometimes they will not.( if they pull out you will have to replace the motor. if you are a guy that is trying to do this in your garage, it is better to take your loses and take it to a shop that knows what they are doing.

[caddydaddy]

Originally Posted by free07110

when removing your head bolts chances are you will have to heli coil them. that means drill out old treads and insert new treads and new head bolts. 50/50 chance they will hold and torque but sometimes they will not.( if they pull out you will have to replace the motor. if you are a guy that is trying to do this in your garage, it is better to take your loses and take it to a shop that knows what they are doing.

You must Timesert Northstar blocks, says so right in the service manual. But you are right, it's not something for a general mechanic to do, it's a big job to remove the engine/trans and get it done right. It's not impossible, but not as easy as a 350 chevy!
If you do take it to a shop, make sure they Timesert ALL of the head bolt threads! This will prevent any future pulling of the threads.