Tips before pulling the head.

[my_gst95]

I need to check for bent valves on #1 & #4 so i will be pulling the head and im limited on funds, so i'm going to have to buy a used one from the Classified forum and do a straight swap. I know i'm somewhat of a begginner, but i've installed turbo's and removed my own balanceshaft, so hopefully its of less or equal task. Any tips from you guys that have done this before to help the process go faster or even smoother? My dsm problems have been domino'ing on me this whole week and i want it to pick back up from here on out...

thanks guys,

my_gst95

 

[peregrine]

make sure your at TDC. mark your lifters so they stay in the same bores. do that with your rockers too just to be safe. replace the tensioner with a new one if you even SUSPECT its bad. put hks cams in while its apart

 

[my_gst95]

Even tho i may have bent some valves, this is definetly turning out to be a learning experinece. I think i now know how to do timing belt, fuel filter, rear motor mount, fuel rail, injectors, intake manifold, head gaskets and studs, and the head itself. I'm almost out of the noob department, i just need to learn more about the tranny.

ANYWAY, 2 things thats holding me back. Do i have to remove and unbolt the assembly that the lower radiator hose connects too? Not sure but it looks like its connected to both the head and block. Also, the 2 plugs that are actually mounted onto the intake manifold. Can't figure out where to push down to pop them off. Or should i just unscrew them from the manifold?

thanks pere. anyone else with suggestions?

my_gst95

 

[spoolinawddsm]

before you take the head off why dont you just put compressed air into the cylinders?? you will be able to hear if air is leaking past your intake/exhaust valves doing this.

 

[leet]

The radiator hoses on the 7bolts both go into the thermostat housing, i believe. the thermostat housing connects only to the head. someone slap me if i am wrong, as this is how i remembered it before i swapped to a 1G head.

 

[my_gst95]

*UPDATE*

The head came off today, thanks for the tips guys. Just need your opinion on what steps I should take next to get the car running sooner at the most inexpensive way possible. What happened was when I was turning the center bolt of the harmonic balancer to try and remove it, it turned in the opposite direction causing the pistons to press up against the valves on #1 & #4. Sure enough, 3 valves look like they arent closing all the way.

Luckly my timing belt job was correct and when i tried to crank it earlier, it didnt cause the pistons and the valves to hit. So as for my options, i was thinking about buying a used head/valves/cams in the classified section, new OEM metal headgasket and ARP headstuds but that may run about 300-400 bucks all together. Is there anything I can do with the current head that I've got now to save money and maybe get the car up and running sooner? can the valves be bent back?

my_gst95

 

[peregrine]

it doesnt matter if you turned the balancer the wrong way. that wont bend valves. 3-4 new valves and a valve job would only run you about $150. if that. why buy a new head when you can fix that one easily? plus your not even sure its broken. take it to a trusted machine shop and get their opinion. dont make the mistake of spending a bunch of money when you dont need to. it should only take a day or two to fix the head. i wouldnt mess around with a metal head gasket. just put in arp head studs and the torque them to 95 ft. lbs. and use the stock graphite gasket. thats what im using and youve seen my combo. you dont need to do a bunch of stuff while its apart. stick with the factory stuff for now. your 14b isnt gonna do anything near enough to harm that motor. trust me, save your money and take glo out for a nice dinner and make that porno she's been wanting haha good luck bro.

 

[my_gst95]

It will bend valves if the timing belt is off...DOH! Ok well, ill ask around tommorrow to see if any local machine shops can hook it up. Arp and gasket i'll order first thing tmr as well. The money I save can go to the nice quality home-made porno vid, forget the dinner . Thanks again, keep ya'll updated.

my_gst95

 

[my_gst95]

Pics of the head:

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as you can see in the last pic, one of the valves doesnt wanna stay closed. Takin' it to a machine shop tommorrow.

my_gst95