blown headgasket....what to do

[koenigseggCC7]

ok so my headgasket on my 92 1.8 is blown....i want to just replace the headgasket and check the internals to make sure nothing is damaged (i like my little 1.8 ), but my dad (vp of a major auto shop chain here) wants me to get a 2.0 nt and swap it in. he is afraid to mess up anything while fixing the headgasket and therefore waste money....what are the chances of this happening? i really do not want to deal with a motor swap, nor can i really find a motor around here that i would trust. thanks

 

[DAC96]

ok so my headgasket on my 92 1.8 is blown....i want to just replace the headgasket and check the internals to make sure nothing is damaged (i like my little 1.8 ), but my dad (vp of a major auto shop chain here) wants me to get a 2.0 nt and swap it in. he is afraid to mess up anything while fixing the headgasket and therefore waste money....what are the chances of this happening? i really do not want to deal with a motor swap, nor can i really find a motor around here that i would trust. thanks

well I don't know too much about the 1.8 but I'm guessing it would be simple...buy a new Head gasket, buy a new timming belt, and get a shop manual... then show your dad that it's not that big of a deal, and go to town on it. That is unless he wants to pay for the new 2.0 and have one of his employees install it...then I would just say go for that option!

 

[koenigseggCC7]

well 1) hes not paying for the motor and 2) i guarentee an employee wont be doing it hah we have a full shop with lift at the house tho...

another quick question, i JUST replaced the timing belt (like 2 months ago or so) because it snapped while driving, do i need a new timing belt or can i reuse that once since its so new

 

[DAC96]

Well then I would say go for it, sounds like you have a great place to work on it.. yes you can reuse the timming belt if you want, just make sure that when you take it off you mark the direction the belt was turning, so when you put it back on it doesn't get flipped around... also if you are planning on doing this in one weekend or a limited time period, make sure you make a check list of everything your going to need and get everything before you start...
good luck