Katoner

Working on my headgasket and chain/guides look good so i dont plan on pulling t-cover. Will i still need to pull radiator, belts? Or can i make it happen like that?

millball

Yes, if you don't need to do any work on the timing components you can R&R the head without removing the timing cover.

Don't neglect to remove the bolt that goes thru the head into the top of the timing cover. It is usually submerged in a puddle of oil.

There are a couple bolts for the PS and alternator brackets that go into the head, as I recall. Don't see why the radiator can't stay.

flg8r22

iTrader: (1)

I agree with Millball, however its not a bad idea to have the rad professionaly cleaned depending on the reason for the head gasket failure and the length of time it has failed

Katoner

Thanks guys. Radiator is new, old one blew and motor overheated

wyoming9

iTrader: (1)

This is after all your vehicle you can do what you want.

Just curious having the hard work done having the head off why not do the timing chain.

Maybe it is a fresh engine with only a few miles that the head gasket failed ??

Getting it back together and running to sell ASAP ??

Katoner

Yes fairly fresh, guides are good etc, no leaks, why mess with it now when i can do it in 50k miles

greyheadedguy

When you get ready to put it back together don't make the same mistake I made when I did my head gasket on my 22R. Clean you head bolt threads in the crakcase so you get a proper torque on your head gasket bolts. I didn't do this and blew my head gasket again. Everything was flat and true, so it had to be bad torquing of the head.

grey

Katoner

ok thanks

Katoner

Few more questions. I have the exhaust side out now and working on the intake, does it unbolt from the head all in one peice or does it have to come all appart (throttle body, injectors, etc)?

warpigg

You have to pull the upper intake plenum then pull your fuel rail and lower intake plenum. Pretty sure you can leave the throttle body on. Pretty sure there are some coolant lines that need to be taken off after you pull the upper plenum off, but it's been awhile. Should be pretty self explanatory once you take the upper plenum off though

Katoner

Ok then. Is fuel pressure an issue when removing fuel rails? Sorry for all the noob questions...

millball

Some fuel might spray when the first joint is parted. A rag over the wrench and joint will catch it, no biggie.

Katoner

Intake almost all out yay. I notice a bit of slack on my timing chain against the driver side guide, normal right? Just making sure my tensioner isnt bad

Katoner

All going good so far before and after cleanup (razor, brake cleaner, and emery paper) pics. #2 piston has coolant traces in it, also shows on valves obviously

warpigg

Good idea on the zip ties. I usually take the cam gear off and use a long screw driver or extension through the chain. Make sure when you put it back together you use FIPG or rtv equivalent in the spots on gaskets where you are supposed to otherwise it won't seal properly

Katoner

Shes back together with an oem HG, just wanted to thank the board for the help

GorgeRunner

I tried changing the timing chain without removing the head, dinged the head gasket while installing the timing chain cover and had to replace the head gasket. Head gasket/timing chain R&R done at the same time is a reasonable approach.