Machine block and head again?

[TWOpointFORliter]

I am getting all my plans and parts together for my winter upgrades and had a question. I planned on pulling the head off this winter to upgrade the springs/retainers so I can run a more aggressive cam profile and upgrade the head studs. My question is if I do pull the head off will I have to get the head and block resurfaced again? My build has 12,000 miles on it and has a mls HG and standard arp's. I don't mind dropping the head off at the machine shop but would rather not tear down my 2.4 with only 12k on it. Hoping I can just slap another mls on and the new head studs without any further machining.

 

[92AWDHX40]

Well im not 100 percent sure but i would, thats just me never ran mls, it might be ok, then it might not i wouldnt chance it my engine since your there. Some may say you can or shouldnt. I hate redoing things when i should have while i was there regarding anything with my dsm again, doing a full rebuild now, so im taking no chances anywhere.

 

[Anubis_4_99]

if you haven't overheated the motor, and warped anything, you should be fine. i would still have the head checked to make sure it's true, if the head checks out, your block is fine. if the head needs some work, then that's the point i would question if the block needs it or not.

just don't gouge the block or head surface when cleaning it.

 

[BoredDSM]

There is no definite way of telling you what needs to be done based on mileage. What you need to do is have the RA requirements for the headgasket on hand and to have your block and head checked. That will most accurately tell you if you need to have it resurfaced or not.

 

[talonDSMerr]

If you take the head off, you'll want to meticulously clean the block surface, then use a machinist's straight edge and feeler gauges to check that the block deck is flat. The surface finish should be fine. If your block is flat and as clean as the day it came back from the machine shop, I wouldn't have a problem using another MLS headgasket. Same goes for the head.

 

[TWOpointFORliter]

I have never over heated my engine. The temps have never even gone over 200*. I also forgot to mention that I didn't use any copper spray when I installed the HG originally so don't think the block would need anything more than a quick wipe down.

 

[92AWDHX40]

Yes that sounds good but im not taking chances i had a hg blow recently not sure why but, got my block decked, and head is in shop for a rebuild.

 

[BogusSVO]

With the block being cast iron, not over heated since the rebuild a clean and check should do you.

The head, I would look at real close for fire ring grooves, with alum being soft, the MLS HG may have imprinted the fire rings from being torqued down.

 

[TWOpointFORliter]

Thanks you eased my mind about the block. I'll drop the head off at the machine shop to be looked over while I clean the block. Now I just need the driving season to end so I can rip it all back apart.

 

[miguelmcv]

I would say,

Insert some pics of the Block Surface, to see how good or bad it is...

The pics will tell more then you can say, (with some good close up pics).

Just my 2 cents.

 

[romeen]

You can swap out springs and retainers without removing the head. There is a special tool that makes it quite easy.

GA317, Remover/Installer, Metric Valve Keeper

If you do this you also need a way to keep the valves from dropping down into the cylinder when doing it. If you have an air compressor you can keep the cylinder pressurized to hold the valves up.

Head studs can also be swapped with the head on. Just do one at a time in the correct order and torque each one to spec before moving on to the next one.