Head gasket step by step guide

[savage6]

Is there a step by step guide to replacing head gaskets, I tried looking for one but I'm so frustrated right now I cant see straight!

YES, I blew a HG on the way home and NO I don't have the money to have someone to fix it, so I will try.

Please offer any and all advice, tips, or encouraging words you are able to.

Thanks

 

[savage6]

C'mon guys

 

[TexasT]

My prob too.

I did decide to go back with a stock composite gasket. GM # Gasket, Head gaskets (composite) 25528486 . I'm trying to decide wether to go back with the tty bolts or go with aftermarket bolts or studs. Car / engine has 117K miles and is not a daily driver. It will see track and street duty. Any help for the newbies?(not trying to hijack just having the same probem). Thanks.

Rich

 

[BUICKTR]

savage6

I would remove engine to properly clean engine. If you wish not to do that then you would still need to al least remove oil pan and make sure the oil pick tube is clean from any headgasket particles. You will need to remove IC, Alt brackets, power steering bracket, intake. I would have the heads resurface just to make sure you get a good seal with new head gaskets. I would install another set of GM Head gaskets. They work good. No leaks!!!! Buy yourself a new set of ARP head bolts. Make sure the deck of the block is completely clean and smooth and make sure the head bolt holes in the block are also clean. I used acetone to remove any oil from the block deck and clean the surface of heads. I might of left out a few details but it should be pretty close. Good Luck!!

 

[quicker6]

I know how that feels

I agree with BUICKTR, clean the sealing surfaces really GOOD!!! For extra peice of mind, apply a slight bead of RTV around the water passages on the headgaskets. If you do remove the block, you may just want to get it o-ringed and use copper gaskets. If not, the stocks should hold fine. It is really important to remove the oil pan to clean the pickup tube screen. I learned that the hard way because after going through 6 headgasket changes it (the remnants) clogged the pickup starving the engine from oil causing a spun rod bearing. As far as bolts, Id buy the ARPs. Cant use the studs though if you have A/C. Postons sells the bolts for $3* some. Make sure they get your application correct as Ive found that they mix it up a lot with Stage parts. Good luck!! It may take a good weekend for you to do or longer since your new to it and depending on what you need.
Good Luck!!,
Derek

 

[galoush]

Having recently blown a HG into the intake myself i can say after pulling the motor and deciding to freshen it . I found alot of crap in the pick up and the intake valley so i do belive just slapping a new one on wouldnt work out so hot . At least drop the pan put a new screen on and check the intake valley , then cross you fingers . The real kicker is after doing the freshning , something got screwed up on Christmass with the car out . So out it comes again . Its maddning at times this car hobby .

 

[savage6]

Sorry guys, been outside taking this thing apart/hitting head/skinning knuckles/cursing, so here's what happened...
turned into my neighborhood and gunned it for about two seconds, right after it hit full boost......pop went the headgasket! I immediatly shut the car off, it has not been turned over since. WHITE smoke poured out the back. There apparently is water/coolant in the oil.

One thing I need to know is, do I have to get the heads resurfaced even though they were removed, resurfaced, ported and polished a little over two months ago?

I'm about to get the heads off probably today, I'll post pics.

Thanks