So, I snapped my timing belt last weekend at a local dsm meet and have video & a Q.

[90gst_sean]

I am uploading video of the damage as I type... Do yourself a favor, and turn off the volume.

# Timing belt snapped is confirmed
# Valve cover off - 2 followers are loose and sitting in head.
# 6 other followers appear to be loose, but still sitting on valves.

Q- should I go ahead and take the head off, or investigate further with it on; to not waist my mls head gasket.
Q- Info on compression testing a damaged head
Q- Info on n/t heads and testing it before I install it.
Q- I heard of people reusing their mls gaskets if you torque them down a little more. Thoughts?

I have a non turbo head that looks to be in good condition I could put to use (cams are numbered 05 r4 & 15 9).

The bad part is the head I just damaged has fresh seals and guides last winter.

The good thing is, I held off on a tranny rebuild to go to the meet I just broke the car at; so... it was going under the knife this weekend any way. That gives me time to do the timing belt and head fix rite. I have a little cash to spend. I already paid $1K toward the tranny; but things will still be tight. I'm thinking Kevlar for the belt and ??? for the head.

Any suggestions as to my next step and possible use of the other head would be great.

I'll need to research the process of pressure / compression testing the head in this condition. I will do that now.

Thanks; Sean.
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[90gst_sean]

Thanks for the info guys.

Update- I will have the head out soon as I get coffee in me and my ass back out side to my tent. I got it all ready to come off last night, but hung it up on the power steering and didnt have the Patience; so called it a night. It shouldnt take 15 minutes and I'll have it on the bench ready to see whats really going on.

(JUST ONE MANS PAROGITIVE, SO LETS LEAVE IT AT THAT) but I -WILL- be reusing my mls head gasket this time round. (NO NEED TO CONVINCE ME OTHER WISE, SO PLEASE) I have looked long and hard at this topic, and there is plenty discussion about it. I am convinced that 90% of the opponents of its reusall, are so- based solely on personal opinion, and NOT experience. I have decided to see for myself and that will be that.

I'll be using copper gasket spray on both side assuming the gasket is in A+ condition after removed.

BUCK, just so you know. I do not dismiss your advice lightly. You were a big help to me back before I could have told you what "MLS" meant.

 

[Littlebeeper]

you should be ok assuming the N/T head has a strait deck. that is the part your really gambling on in my opinion. man, i do not look forward to doing this. i'm going to have to replace my crank, unless the spun bearing did little or no damage (yea right )

 

[90gst_sean]

What work do you guys recommended I do myself here at home as far as the cyl. head is concerned? I need to save as much cash as posible and get the parts ordered and on the way. I don't have much experience in head work and dont have a spring compressor or valve guide press.

I need to get an idea as far as cost is concerned before I dump to much money into my tranny build. I may be able to get a decent price on some valves and guides from partsdino.com. He has emailed me twice concerned with what happened with the belt and damage to the head. I respect that!!! And dont blame him for the part failure one bit.

 

[90gst_sean]

This is my second timing belt (in car) replacement, and I've pulled two 4g63t's engines with pickers and I'll take the engine pulling any day over working that damn timing belt cover off with the engine still in the car!!!!!!!!!!!!

Never again! With as much work as I'm planning I was stupid to leave the block in car. I dont remember so much trouble; damn, did I mention blood?

 

[rrussell]

This is my second timing belt (in car) replacement, and I've pulled two 4g63t's engines with pickers and I'll take the engine pulling any day over working that damn timing belt cover off with the engine still in the car!!!!!!!!!!!!

Never again! With as much work as I'm planning I was stupid to leave the block in car. I dont remember so much trouble; damn, did I mention blood?

There kinda a pain working on with out the car up on a host.

Bleeding and working on a DSM is the norm.

 

[90gst_sean]

Well there are small divots on all four corners of all four pistons. Non of them are real bad as far as the piston heads are concerned, but I betting all the valves are bent. At least I'm not going to chance it.

I'm hoping to be able to afford all new valves and guides. I dont remember what that will cost to have a machine shop press them in... any one know?