headgasket RR

[mister2sc88]

I Believe my friend blew his headgasket...does anyone have any useful tips or tricks in doing this job? are there any write ups? and for parts...where do you guys buy your stuff from

TIA

 

[talontsi01]

There is a right up on it: www.vfaq.com has one. I used this with conjunction from my Chiltons manual. As far as special tricks, just have patience. I did this the first time, and it took me about 40 hours round trip. The second time it took me about a third of the time. Make sure you label everything as far as vacuum hoses and electrical connections.

As far as parts, I resurfaced the head at a machine shop, cleaned the block, replaced the hg and all the upper engine gaskets I could. I can't remember where I got my gaskets. I used arp hardware that I got from import evolution. And all of my timing belt stuff (timing belt, bs belt, auto tensioner and waterpump) I got from SBR. These were all the best prices I found for all of these items. What kind of headgasket were you going to go with?

 

[mister2sc88]

im just going to use stock everything, there is no point in convincing him in dropping extra cash for ARP equipment and a better headgasket(at least I think so or unless the performance stuff is the same price)...this guy does not care about performance even though its a 4g63t...i want to actually buy it off of him

what is SBR?

Haven't done a headgasket myself(well, psuedo...helped a friend out) but I have done a motorswap in a MR2 and replaced nearly everything... so working on a front engine car is not that big of a deal...it looks too easy

 

[project_tsi]

I can do a complete head gasket job w/ new timing belt istall in about 4 hours. Its really not hard! just get yer timing right!

 

[talontsi01]

I actually used a fel-pro gasket kit. This is a cheaper kit than the stock hg kits from mitsubishi. I would personally never reuse the stock head studs. New ARP head studs run right around 95 dollars and are highly recommended by many. If you don't already have a manual, I would suggest getting one. If you do have one, it explains that if the head studs are "stretched out" looking or are a certain length (can't remember off hand), then they need to be replaced. But again, I would replace them regardless. Your taking the time to do all of this. I would make sure you have everything correct.

SBR is slow boy racing. They are simply the company that I found with the best prices for what I was looking for as far as timing belt replacement parts.

 

[project_tsi]

www.diamondstarmotorsport.com has mitsu t-belts for $5 cheaper than www.slowboyracing.com

 

[talontsi01]

I can do a complete head gasket job w/ new timing belt istall in about 4 hours. Its really not hard! just get yer timing right!

My time is way down too. I actually just did my third tb job. I did it in one day. Probaly about 5 or 6 hours from start to finish. I'm very suprised on how much faster I can do it each time.

The first time my head job/tb job took me so long was because I was extremely persistant about labeling everything. I did way too much. That, and the machine shop I took my head to put my cams in backwards. It took me a while to figure that the shop had screwed up, not me.

 

[project_tsi]

My time is way down too. I actually just did my third tb job. I did it in one day. Probaly about 5 or 6 hours from start to finish. I'm very suprised on how much faster I can do it each time.

The first time my head job/tb job took me so long was because I was extremely persistant about labeling everything. I did way too much. That, and the machine shop I took my head to put my cams in backwards. It took me a while to figure that the shop had screwed up, not me.

well, ive got it set up so all my basic bolts and misc things are easy to get too, I practicaly know where every bolt, nut, hose, and elec. connection goes from the top of my head. Like they always say, practice makes perfect.

 

[talontsi01]

Hey man, I'm just curious. Do you use either of the special tools when doing yours? I havent used either for any of my jobs.

 

[project_tsi]

Hey man, I'm just curious. Do you use either of the special tools when doing yours? I havent used either for any of my jobs.

what special tools are you talking about? I only know of the t-belt tensioner tool, and no, I made mine using the battery box bolt. what other special tool?

 

[talontsi01]

what special tools are you talking about? I only know of the t-belt tensioner tool, and no, I made mine using the battery box bolt. what other special tool?

Theres another tool that helps you tourque the idle pulley. Some people use small needle nosed plyers instead.

 

[mister2sc88]

Yea I understand the importance of using new head bolts...how is the felpro kit? quality or crap? I was thinking about getting fel-pro everything sans head gasket

timing belts...i've done this a few times aswell

 

[talontsi01]

Yea I understand the importance of using new head bolts...how is the felpro kit? quality or crap? I was thinking about getting fel-pro everything sans head gasket

timing belts...i've done this a few times aswell

No problems at all. Its a brand that has been around for a while and is quite established.

 

[98spydert]

If you're gonna use a composit head gasket, just save your money and use the felpro. It's exactly the same as the mitsu one. Personally, I would just go with the factory 4 layer metal HG, there's no reason not to. People claim you MUST resurface the block but it's a DSM myth. Sure, there's been cases where they wouldn't seal but if you're block is completely clean, there's a very slim chance that it won't seal.

Hell, I just did mine a week ago and it sealed just fine with only the head resurfaced. A couple razor blades and a can of brake cleaner cleaned everything up nicely.

 

[gsxtacy]

Yeah, what everyone else has said.

Timing Belt tool
Snap ring pliers
Razor blade scrapper
Emory Cloth to clean surfaces
ARP Head Studs, cause you'll be there anyway

And good luck.

gsxtacy

 

[NOSLO2PT0]

Do NOT use Fel-Pro gaskets unless you NEVER plan on raising the boost past factory specs. The Fel-Pro is not as durable as the OEM composite. Go buy an OEM composite HG from the dealer. Don't cheap out on parts that require a full day's worth of work to replace, just so you could save $15.

 

[mister2sc88]

yea i hear you...so should i just piece everything from an aftermarket company but get the head gasket from the dealer?