Thanks Brian, and others,

The only work I did to the head was to get it lightly skimmed. I didn't really see why, but enough people advised to do it that I took it on faith. I removed the cams, lifters and vac pump, but left the valves in. The shop skimmed it and apparently vacuum tested the valves for leaks which came up ok. As I said the engine was running fine, just losing a little water.

I did do one potentially major mistake when reassembling though. I had the head sitting on it's bottom face when I installed the cams again. When tightening down the cams it opens some of the valves slightly, and in the end I had the head sitting on the partially open valves! Stupid. With the marks aligned it's I think only the exhaust #3 valves which sit slightly proud of the bottom surface, but easy to bend thin stemmed valves like that...

With head belatedly up on blocks I ran the cams around a few times, then tested each cylinder with some alcohol squirted down the ports. Fortunately no leaks - but remember folks, the WIS does not remind you to support the head (or I missed it), so be careful.

I also forgot to mention I got a 2nd hand exhaust manifold from my indy. I looked at welding up the small crack but even my welder at work, who is extremely experienced, said it would most likely make it worse, just crack worse next to whatever repair was done, so I got another one.

I did have to top up the coolant this morning, but I think that's just from all the air making it's way out after the initial run. The cold start stumble is gone and there are no visible leaks, so fingers crossed all is well. BTW I used Elring gaskets.

Cheers
Steve

posted by 130.56.6...

• Head gasket DIY done, Aussie Aero, Mon, 23 Jun 2008 16:25:54
  • good job, Link, Tue, 24 Jun 2008 07:20:44
    • Re: good job, Aussie Aero, Tue, 24 Jun 2008 16:21:20 <-- Viewing This Message
  • Thanks for the info..., Savary , Mon, 23 Jun 2008 18:12:28
  • Re: Head gasket DIY done, Peter Martin , Mon, 23 Jun 2008 17:54:36

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