Dee Jackson <dee_jackson@gilbarco.com> wrote:
> I've been advised that it's likely that the head will need skimming to
> ensure a flat surface for sealing. Is this normally the case? If so,
> and since the head's already off, should I go ahead and replace valve
> guides and springs and have the valves ground? A local shop gave me an
> approximate cost of $150 USD for labo(u)r for doing this, including a
> three-angle grind. BTW, compression seems o.k., 130 lbs. on all 4 cyls.
There's no need to spend more money than you have to. While the head
is off, get an (independent) engineering shop to quickly check the
face for flatness. Unless you have a particular reason to believe it
is warped -- engine has overheated, blown gasket or similar -- it
will probably be OK. You can check the valve guides etc yourself by
following the guidance in the Haynes or factory manual. Again unless
your engine has done a lot of miles or has been tuned in some way,
the original components could well be OK and just need grinding in
again.
> I've also been told that head gaskets vary in quality between
> manufacturers. How does one tell a "good" gasket from a "bad" one?
> Is there a recognized "best" gasket?
Pass.
> Lastly, while most I've talked with recommend putting the gasket on "bare"
> (the gasket, not me), Kipping says to use Hylomar (sp?) around the oil
> passage opening. (This may make sense since that's where my leak seems to
> be coming from). I assume Hylomar to be some sealing material, but I've
> never seen any here in the States. Is there an Americanized equivalent,
> copper spray, perhaps? Should any sealant be used?
Hylomar is quite popular in the UK and costs a little bit more than
other gasket sealants. It looks exactly the same as the other blue
sealants that you wouldn't dream of using on a cylinder head gasket
but in my experience it does work. The last tube I bought proudly
proclaimed "as used by Rolls Royce" on the packaging so it may be
available in the States.
Phil
**************************************************************
Phil Beesley -- Computer Officer -- Distributed Systems Suppport
University of Leicester
Tel (0)116 252-2231
E-Mail pb14@le.ac.uk
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