[craigtempo]

Doing a head gasket tomorrow. ?.any tricks of the trade or things to watch out for ? G13a

[steve125]

Do you know the tightening sequence for the head bolts?

[jdk81]

Get a copy of the factory service manual.

Get the timing lined up correctly.
Heaps of people get it wrong.
180 degrees out is fairly common, other is 1 tooth out.

[craigtempo]

steve125 wrote:

Do you know the tightening sequence for the head bolts?

Yeal all good ....what are the torque settings for the manafolds ?

Found it 18lb

[fordem]

Before removing the timing belt, rotate the crank to TDC, make sure both sets of timing marks are aligned and then use "white-out" or something similar to mark the belt and the both pulleys - at reassembly just line up your "white-out" marks - this makes it much easier to get the timing correct. Also mark the direction of rotation of the belt, and make sure you replace it in the same direction.

[craigtempo]

Job done.....had a mate help ( or I helped him actually) who has mechanical knowledge ....... the whole job took about 2 hrs ........ and it was as I expected ......... loose head bolts ..... the engine was rebuilt about 2 years ago by the previous owner and I dont beleive he got tge head bolts tighten d after 1000 klms.........the head bolts were sitting in at 35lb.not 55lb ........ car wouldnt start after the job....sounded like she wasnt getting spark ...
And we couldnt figure out why so we stopped for lunch ......went back and found a wire not connected.........so first crank and away she went .......I couldnt believe how easy it wS to do but as I saix my mate new what he was doing .

[DanglingD]

Just a quick question, can the head gasket be replaced whilst still In the engine bay or does the engine need to be removed?

Cheers