Blown Head Gasket on 95 420a

[97gtpacecar]

I'm looking at getting a 95 na for my fiancee and found one cheap with 56K but has a blown head gasket as far as i know. I was wondering how hard is it to change this on this motor. If there is a write up that would be nice. I have so-so mechincal skills, i have done header, tb, rockers and stuff like that on my grand prix. Thank for the help.

Jonathan

[TeamFusion]

Originally Posted by 97gtpacecar

I'm looking at getting a 95 na for my fiancee and found one cheap with 56K but has a blown head gasket as far as i know. I was wondering how hard is it to change this on this motor. If there is a write up that would be nice. I have so-so mechincal skills, i have done header, tb, rockers and stuff like that on my grand prix. Thank for the help.

Jonathan

You need to get your head resurfaced and a new head gasket.

[97gtpacecar]

just wondering how long this process should take. Remember i know NOTHIN about these motor or cars.

THanks for the info

[juso]

The 420A chysler motor is know for faulty headgaskets. They go faster than you can read this post. They always leak oil.

With that said I've changed oh about six or seven of them. It takes me about 3 hours to do with air tools and lift. So i would double that figure if your doing it at home with just jack stands and hand tools. But you've never done them (don't know your skill level)so i'm figuring about a weekend project in the worst case. Its tricky because its a tight fit and the motor mount bracket that bolts to the motor is a Pain to remove.

You are going to need a specialty tool to remove the crankshaft pulley. Its a three arm puller. I'm sure you can rent one from a parts store but find out first though. You don't want to get stuck without it. And Pick up a Chilton or Haynes manual too. You can never have too much info on the car your working on.

[punishercb]

I own a dodge avenger, which has a 420A motor too. My headgasket went out , but i had an auto shop do it for me. 420A headgasket's do go out, but not really that often. i really couldn't tell ya how hard it is to do. sorry

If you want some help, check out aseclub.net or asog.org. They're both great sites that have TONS of info. They could easily answer your question.

[97gtpacecar]

well i went ahead a purchased the car. I figure even if i spend 500 fixing the car it still worth it since i purchase the car for 1g and it only has 52K. The lady had some pass issues before this and just wanted it out of her drive way.


Anybody in Houston know how to do this and would like to make some money?
I would do it but school is kicking my ass at the moment

[nicer6]

Originally Posted by TeamFusion

You need to get your head resurfaced and a new head gasket.

I have the same situation right now myself. I blew the engin a couple of years ago and had a rebuilt one put in. I guess the incorrect gaskets were used or it was not done correctly, because now the valve cover leaks a little and I smell that burnt oil which it did when I blew my first engine.
What I want to do is work on the car myself this time. I was always intimidated by the possible downtime so I've taken my gs to a shop. This is a first time for me in shanging the gaskets but I'm mechaniclly inclined .My question is why does the head need to be resurfaced and does it need it everytime you take the head off? Is it adviseable on a rebuilt engine?

I've been reading the posts on oil leaks on the 420a and they are helpful in letting me know what parts i need in addition to the head gasket set. I bought one at Autozone-(FELPRO). Is that recommended?

[juso]

You really don't need to get a head resurfaced unless its warped, gouged, or if you just want a peace of mind.

When you remove the head use a plastic scraper and so carb cleaner to clean the surface of the head DO NOT use a metal scraper or a Angle sander cause it won't seal properly if its gouged or notched from a metal scraper. And when installing the headgasket make sure all surfaces are Clean and dry.
I also use Permatex Copper gasket spray as a added sealant and i haven't had a comeback yet so thay must be holding.

Good luck

[nicer6]

thanx, appreciate the info

I was also thinking since I'm doing this , I might take the opportunity to do a performance upgrade. Any opinoins on une in the $400 range? maybe the crower camshafts, cam gears, headers (saw some on ebay at $100 SSAUTOCHROME), or the FX UDP? Do I need to do both cam gears and shafts at the same timez to get any noticeble differance?