Timing belt & Head replacement

[tselling]

Alright now I am really beginning to hate my car. I need to know how hard it is to replace the head and timing belt in one of these cars. Is it easy or is it all technical?? I have never done this before and would like someone to help me through all this. I just ordered a new head and timing belt and all new gaskets for the head. Or should i just take it to a shop and have them do it. I just hate to pay someone to put crap on my car and not have it tuned the way I like it.

 

[Catbox_95]

Man, there are TONS of information strewn out all over this site about how to do it. Yes, it's very technical, especially the timing belt part. If you have no idea and don't feel like searching the site or vfaq.com for the answers, then you should have a shop do it. And then you should make sure the shop knows about DSM's specifically, as they are different from other cars.

Go to www.vfaq.com for very specific timing belt instructions.

 

[tselling]

Thank you for the info ill check it out and see if i can do it myself. I need to learn all this stuff so in the future if I ever have the same problem then I can fix it. That is one of the major reasons that i want to do it myself.

 

[theghost]

Yeah I just recently did a head swap on my car for the first time, It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. Make sure you have the right tools and parts that you need. Definitely print out the vfaq on head swapping and have dealership or Haynes manual with you. It's pretty self explanatory if you have some mechanical background. Make sure you don't cut any corners though. Do everything the way it says and you'll be fine. I strongly suggest replacing you're auto tensioner and probably you're pulleys and pumps to so you don't have to worry about them. Heres the site for removing and installing the timing belt http://www.vfaq.com/mods/timingbelt-1G.html, Also has the part #'s for the two special tools for the job. I'm in northern VA, but I'll be down around Williamsburg for the holidays, shoot me a pm if you have any q's or if you plan on doing the work this weekend I might be able to stop by and help you out, that is assuming you have a garage Good luck

 

[blackGSX2g]

If you own a DSM and have a small pocketbook, I'd learn how to do the job. Print off all the info in the VFAQ and make sure you have someone who has done them before either present or in communication to make sure you do it right.

I was terrified the first time I did the job, but once I finished, it really wasn't that bad. I've done so many now that both my friends as well as I would have spent a fortune at a shop.

 

[tselling]

Thank you for all the info i am going to get this project under way tomorrow. If any problems come up or if it is a success then i post and let you know how it goes.

 

[BOBS90TURBO]

I just jumped timing and took it to a shop, I've been wrenching on dsm's for years now, done an engine swap, clutch job, etc..... And I am NOT going to try the t-belt myself, I've read to many stories of people's heads crashing 2 minutes after putting it back together.

Really make sure you have it all studied out and understood before you do it. Good Luck if you do.

 

[gthompson97]

either they didn't know what they were doing or rushed to put it together. i've done MANY timing belt jobs and haven't had a single one go bad yet. (knocks on wood)