I am sure Eric knows plenty about changing head
gaskets- he does own a Neon! ;)
Sean Minehart
Team Underdog Racing
CS 98-'91 yellow Mr2
--- Dan Duncan <gduncan2@mindspring.com> wrote:
> Eric,
> I fully agree with Mike, it is quite a pain to
> do especially with the
> engine still in the car, but none the less doable.
> The one thing that
> I would add to Eric's list is to make sure to get
> NEW Head bolts
> as well. FelPro should list them with the gasket set
> numbers. The
> Head bolts used in the Q4 are a stretch bolt and
> should not under
> any circumstances be used again!!! I just did the Q4
> head gasket
> on my recently acquired HO Q4 powered A/Prepared
> Fiero
> because the company that built the engine reused the
> head bolts
> which caused the head gasket to let go again very
> shortly afterward.
> The other thing I might add also is to make sure to
> get a very good
> shop manual, a factory manual will be the most
> expensive, but will
> have info the would take two or three aftermarket
> books to get it
> all covered. One more thing you may want to check
> before finalizing
> the deal on the purchase, make sure that when the
> car was parked
> that no water/coolant was left in the cylinders. It
> could be a rusted up
> mess that would require a full engine rebuild
> including new pistons,
> rings & block bored.
>
> Greg Duncan
> Other half of Team Python
> 84 A/Prepared Fiero Q4
> 88 E/Mod Fiero 4.9L V8
>
> > ------------------------------
> > Date: Sat, 10 Mar 2001 13:37:33 -0600
> > From: "Mike Taylor" <miket@interaccess.com>
> > Subject: Re: Quad 4 headgasket
> >
> > Eric,
> >
> > it is a pain but can be done yourself of you have
> average mechanical
> skills.
> > The key is to get a good headgasket. The one from
> GM is junk compared to
> > the FelPro gasket. About the only special tools
> is a torque angle meter
> to
> > properly torque the head bolts, and a harmonic
> balancer puller. It took
> me
> > about 15 hours (using hand tools) the when I did
> one on my car.
> >
> > Here is a quick outline:
> > 1) remove Exhaust manifold, intake manifold & fuel
> injectors
> > 2) Take off accessory belt & pull harmonic
> balancer & cover to the timing
> > chain housing & PS belt
> > 4) Remove timing chain & cam sprockets
> > 5) Remove timing chain housing
> > 6) Remove IDI (Integrated Direct Ignition)
> System. It looks like a valve
> > cover on top of the engine
> > 7) Remove the 2 cam housings & cams
> > 8) Remove Head
> >
> > While you have it apart you may as well replace
> the water pump. It is easy
> > when doing a head gasket change but a pain to do
> by itself. Make sure you
> > put the Cam Housing to Timing Chain Housing
> gaskets in correctly or they
> > will leak. Figure $100 to $200 for a FelPro
> gasket kit.
> >
> > Hope this helps..
> >
> > Mike Taylor
> > DSP '88 Grand Am, Quad 4
> >
> >
> > - ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Eric Linnhoff" <eric10mm@qni.com>
> > To: "autox list" <autox@autox.team.net>
> > Sent: Saturday, March 10, 2001 12:36 AM
> > Subject: Quad 4 headgasket
> >
> >
> > > So I've got a co-worker who wants to sell me a
> well used Olds Calais
> with
> > > the Quad 4 engine in it. 190K on the odometer
> and he says a blown
> > > headgasket, it's been sitting since last
> November. But the price is
> right.
> > >
> > > Are these headgaskets any harder to replace than
> most other engines? Any
> > > tricks to make it easier?
> > >
> > > As usual, thanks in advance folks.
> > >
> > > Eric Linnhoff in KC
> > > #69 STS TLS #13
> > > '98 Neon R/T (4 door)
> > > <eric10mm@qni.com>
> > > ICQ# 101282513
> >
> > ------------------------------
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