[mtooka]

Guys,

I relaced my water pump on my 1.3 carby last week, now the added pressure has blown the head gasket. I limped it home yesterday, and did not overheat it. Just heaps of steam comin out the back, and has a miss in one cylinder. The usual milky oil and no leaks but using up coolant are also my signals of head gasket.

My questions.....
I have limited tools and money.

Do I attempt to replace head gasket myself? If so how much $$ do I expect to pay for the gasket kit. Also, do I need to get it crack tested and machnied? If so where in melbourne, and how much? I have downloaded the service manual. But am wondering about the steps in removing the head, and what other bits need to be replaced. Is this a simple job?

Do I get a mechanic to do it all? How much $$$ to expect?

Anyone know someone who is cheap to do the work. Southern beach suburbs of melbourne... Unfortunately I work in an office, and dont get many hours to be able to do the repair myself

Would a 1.6 conversion now be on the cards? Again expected $$$ and someone to go to in Melb would be good. I dont have a hoist, or engine crane.

Or. Do I bite the bullet simply get rid of the beast as is. She is good car, no rust, new soft top, runs pretty good except for this new issue. 88 SJ50 SWB. All stock.

Cheers Guys for your advice

Matt

[appsie]

youd be mad to sell it mate if its as good a car as you say??

If it hasnt gone too hot and not too much damage has occured a head gasket or vrs kit shouldnt set you back big dollars.Either way id get the head checked for warping and get a quick skim if it needs it.Shouldnt be a crazy dear job at the shop or try it at home with mates?

1.6 is a great engine but if your worried bout spending a bit fixing the 1.3,the 1.6 will scare you a bit.

If your having fun in it fix it up itl go again

[paulv]

Well, there is a gasket set on ebay here:Ebay

You would probably also replace the timing belt, and possibly the timing belt tensioner at the same time.

You will need to know how, be comfortable with and have the tools to:
Torque the head bolts.
Align the timing marks and get the timing belt on correctly.
Set the tappet clearances.
Set the ignition timing.
get the rusty, seized exhaust manifold bolts undone and deal with any broken studs.

If you can handle that, go for it.

And yes, once you have the head off, you would take it to a machine shop for a crack test and resurface, possible valve seat grind and or valve guide replacement.
How much this costs will depend on what condition it is in.

[SuziBlu]

Time for a 1.6l

[royce]

If you can replace the water pump and get the belt and so on back on youll be fine with a head, the hardest part is getting the timing belt back on right, which you can already do cause its the same with a water pump.

things you need to look at

can you measure the block for straightness? not likely to be a drama but helps if you cant

can you get the head to a decent head shop? here is your big cost, its best to get the head checked and skimmed, plus a few other bits that will cost a few hundred dollars, then its just a matter of bolting it back on, torquing the head bolts correctly, unless you can get hold of a decent torque wrench htis step is going to be impossible

dont be worried about doing work to an old engine, plenty of old cars get a head job every day, they love it

[michael]

I changed the head gasket in my 1L a few years back and I am of unsurpassed incompetence when it comes to working on cars (I once snapped 2 bolts on a Holden 179 rocker cover by over tightening...)

Have a go at it yourself.

Michael

[Ben_Sierra]

I did the head gasket on my Zook a few weeks ago. $100 and a day and you should be sweet.