Replacing The Head?

[iiNFAMOUSCHRiS]

are there any DIY/Guides on replacing a head? mostly with doing the timing portion of it as i'm gonna be tackling this job in the very near future, and can't afford labor for a shop to do it

 

[Kyogie12]

I used my haynes manual for most of it. Along with threads on here on how to do ARP studs. The vfaq.com article on a timing belt job will get you halfway there.

If the motor is still in the car you don't need to remove the intake manifold. Or at least I didn't have to, there was enough room to wiggle the whole head out with the manifold.

PM if you have any other questions. I've got some pictures from my last head pull that might help you.

Just make sure you have a quality torque wrench. If you've done a decent amount of car work it shouldn't be too hard for you. Just a little more time invested.

 

[iiNFAMOUSCHRiS]

the head is currently on the car, with a burned exhaust valve...which was burned when I got the car, and the reason it was cheap (80K miles, $1400), since i'm unsure of any other damage to the head, i figured I might as well just replace the whole head instead...so yeah, it's still currently on the car

 

[Kyogie12]

For sure. Well it's not as daunting as it seems. If it's your first pull just make sure to label everything and take pictures so you know what goes where.

vfaq.com is your best friend.

 

[iiNFAMOUSCHRiS]

yeah i've been on vfaq for quite a few things so far, and just reading various articles about things I might have to do. and I planned to take quite a few pictures, for a sorta build journal and to put everything bac together...i've also got some painters tape to wrap around all the wires/hoses/etc to label them when I put it back together.

The only that that worries me is doing the timing.

 

[c2ypt1c]

Aside from the timing belt, it's pretty straight forward. If you remove the head with the intake manifold, be aware that there's a bracket underneath that you'll have to unbolt. Also, might be a good time to do an egr/vacuum delete and if you haven't done so already, a balance shaft delete (at least the rear shaft), which will make the timing job that much easier because you wont have to worry about the oil pump/balance shaft timing.

If you're looking for timing write-ups, then vfaq is pretty good. Also, I like this method of tensioning (shown in step 7): http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/art...l-installing-timing-timing-belt-6bolt-2g.html

 

[92AWDHX40]

timing isnt bad it was the first thing i did as far as big jobs are concerned using the manual started up first try. Save the money and diy plus youll learn a lot.

 

[iiNFAMOUSCHRiS]

timing isnt bad it was the first thing i did as far as big jobs are concerned using the manual started up first try. Save the money and diy plus youll learn a lot.

yeah i'm doing it mostly for the learnin process, i could just save up a couple weeks to get it done at a shop, but I want to do my OWN work on the car, but thanks for all the help/encouragement guys. Just gotta wait for the car to cool down and the tear-down process begins.


Is there anything I should do while taking it apart, aside from labeling wires/hoses?

 

[c2ypt1c]

Is there anything I should do while taking it apart, aside from labeling wires/hoses?

Might not be as obvious to someone just learning but to help keep track of all the bolts, I like to thread most of them back in after a part is removed.

 

[DSM1G90]

I like to thread most of them back in after a part is removed.

... which is a safe practice, esp for the beginner.

 

[iiNFAMOUSCHRiS]

yeah, I also do the same thing, well except in the case of my valve cover bolts since i'm sanding it and painting it, the old paint was horrible peeling.

but, I started the process today...had to pick up some tools so I didn't get as far as I would've LIKED to(torque wrench, new 3/8" ratchet since my old one broke doing my jetta exhaust, a set of 12pt sockets)

so far, got the valve cover off, coolant drained, took the injectors off(might upgrade them), spark plugs out and thrown away(got new NGK R's) and the timing cover/splash guard off.

 

[91-GS]

Be careful and whatever you do DO NOT let a bolt or other object fall into the oil/coolant passage. Also once the head is torqued down it can not be removed without having to replace the head gasket and head bolts. Studs can be re-used.

Timing can feel stressful, that's normal for a newbie. Turn the engine over by hand after it's all done, make sure the timing marks are still lining up, and if all turns smooth feel free to fire her up.