3000m Head Gasket gone

[Nicholas Blair]

Expensive repair ?

[kfozz]

Shouldn't be too expensive, the gaskets are easy to get, heads rarely warp and changing the head gasket is a lot easier than modern cars. Don't forget you have to remove the inlet manifold even if you are only changing one head gasket.

[duncscz]

some more tips from experience ...
- the Capri Haynes guide is a good reference
- mark the position of the distributor, to make re-setting the timing easier
- take a load of photos from different angles of the engine bay etc. to help identify what goes where later
- have plenty of bags with labels etc to put the various bits in as you remove them ..
- have some rope ready to support the manifolds
- consider checking/replacing the water pump and thermostat
- build up some muscles in preparation to 'torque' the head down !
- if not already done, get the heads converted to un-leaded.

Best of luck ...

[Nicholas Blair]

Ok Guys

Thanks for the info, I'll get cracking.

Nick

[adrian@]

For what it is worth...buy the best gaskets you can get..JW have these, the after market inlet manifold gasket is prone to cracking across the perferations in the V of the valley and causing oil leaks, Rhienz for the heads, and COAT the non-asbestos exhaust gaskets in high temp silicone, as these are of a foil and paste production and quickly blow out sidewards.
Adrian@

Edited by adrian@ on Thursday 19th April 08:27

[jellison]

At least iron heads on these - no much warping going on here!

Should be an easy fix.

[robgte]

If you order your top end gasket set from JW developments ask for advice on how to fit them. I did and got some really useful advice on how to torque the head bolts properly. Also may be worth trying to address the root cause of the gaskets blowing (providing it wan't just old age)

Regards
Robin

[Nick_F]

If accurate porting matters to you then you should also be very careful when aligning and torquing-down the inlet manifold: do the ends first, and then the middle.

[jellison]

Get the heads ported to while off the car.

[Nicholas Blair]

Excellent advice everybody - I've enlisted the help of a local mechanic- I'll get round to sourcing parts over the weekend.

Thanks again for all the help.

Nick