2G Head Gasket Job

[brannflakes]

Just to start off, its a 98, 420a motor. I plan on doing the head gasket as it has had a very slight week for a while now. There are many guides on this so I have a pretty good idea what to do. I plan on also doing the water pump and timing belt but my question is what else should I be looking at? Are there other parts I should inspect or have checked out? Also if you have any tips/advice or recomendations for specific brands of seals or parts I would love to hear them!

 

[inthemidst]

Check all your oil seals for any signs of leaks check the timing belt pulleys for excess play and the tensioner.

 

[StevetotheH]

Beck/Arnley cam end seals. You may have to order them, I find most AP stores don't carry them.

And what likely none of the guides tell you, chase all your head bolt threads in the block. This is the only way you can be sure the bolts are torqued properly. Clean/chase your plug threads while the head is off as well, this is the only time you will get to do this. I use tranny fluid when chasing threads. Use anti seeze on the plugs when you put them in.

 

[Tiki2777]

Beck/Arnley cam end seals. You may have to order them, I find most AP stores don't carry them.

And what likely none of the guides tell you, chase all your head bolt threads in the block. This is the only way you can be sure the bolts are torqued properly. Clean/chase your plug threads while the head is off as well, this is the only time you will get to do this. I use tranny fluid when chasing threads. Use anti seeze on the plugs when you put them in.

Do not chase your threads... You will cut them down and weaken them. Get somebody with an air compressor and blow the holes out with a gun. Or get in there with multiple cans of brake cleaner and or cans of pressurized air

 

[StevetotheH]

Do not chase your threads... You will cut them down and weaken them. Get somebody with an air compressor and blow the holes out with a gun. Or get in there with multiple cans of brake cleaner and or cans of pressurized air

Yeah, 10 cans of brake cleaner and your still left with grime and nicked threads. If you don't chase the block you will run into improperly torqued bolts. I said nothing about taping the holes. A tap cuts, a thread chase is a dull tap that couldn't tap if it wanted to. I, having assembled hundreds of motors, would use a standard tap. Because I am not a moron, anything I run a tap through will be exactly the spec it should be, and anything that comes back out the hole with the tap needed to anyway. I recommend a chase to those that are less experienced, no real room for error. It's like a standard bolt with side notches to grab grime.

Verify your bolt size and pitch, but .....Here's the link for a set from Jegs http://www.jegs.com/i/ARP/070/912-0...cXT29CfSzMO0fMeJlkZ94P58DgGhEfqD6MaAlVy8P8HAQ

Here's a great DIY chaser: http://m.instructables.com/id/Inexpensive-thread-chaser/

You wouldn't use these dull bastards for tapping a new hole, but they are great for running down into a head bolt hole in prep for reassembly. Always chase your threads......Been doing it for 20+ years, but what do I know.