head gasket diy

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frosty2008

New Member
Posts
95
Location
Tenterden, Kent
Hi guys,

I was thinking of replacing my HG myself :eek: How hard a job is it?

Is there anything i need to make sure i do?

Do i need to replace all the bolt with new ones when refitting?
Is there anything else i should look at replacing/servicing while it s apart? Rockers etc?



Cheers

frosty
 
frosty2008 said:
Hi guys,

I was thinking of replacing my HG myself :eek: How hard a job is it?

Is there anything i need to make sure i do?

Do i need to replace all the bolt with new ones when refitting?
Is there anything else i should look at replacing/servicing while it s apart? Rockers etc?



Cheers

frosty
Click to expand...

For me a piece of ****, if you need to ask the question and you don't have the correct tools a fooking nightmare.
 
im pretty sure i have all the correct tools and i will make sure i do before i start!

i have rave and im studying hard to memorise it etc.

im pretty good with my hands and methodical and careful. im pretty sure im going to be ok but i just wanted to ask as you guys have done it before and i havent. i didnt want to miss anything.
 
frosty2008 said:
im pretty sure i have all the correct tools and i will make sure i do before i start!

i have rave and im studying hard to memorise it etc.

im pretty good with my hands and methodical and careful. im pretty sure im going to be ok but i just wanted to ask as you guys have done it before and i havent. i didnt want to miss anything.
Click to expand...

Is this a petrol or diesel we are talking about because the diesel is far more difficult than the petrol. You need special tools for the diesel which you can work around IF you know what you are doing. If you don't Splatttttt.
 
not a bad job, just time consuming.

island 4x4 sell the kit with new bolts inc.

just make sure you torque heads down correctly and get the heads skimmed

good luck
 
update

just had the engine pressure tested etc and my indie says probably HG but his company wont touch it and recommends the following

1) try tightening the HG bolts
2) rad weld to stop any leaks
3) find a local mechs that specialise in V8s

questions

1) ive got rave and i know the procedure for retightening the Head bolts after refitting a HG but what are the torque settings for just tightening up the bolts ?? give them a tweak a little at a time or is there a standard torque figure?
2) im pretty sure rad weld wont stop a HG leak but my mech wasnt 100% sure it was a HG failure so suggested that? i know products like irontite can cause real big problems eventually but is it the same for radweld?
3) does anyone know any good reputable indies that specialise in v8s etc in kent? speciafically near the maidstone area?

cheers guys
 
frosty2008 said:
update

just had the engine pressure tested etc and my indie says probably HG but his company wont touch it and recommends the following

1) try tightening the HG bolts
2) rad weld to stop any leaks
3) find a local mechs that specialise in V8s

questions

1) ive got rave and i know the procedure for retightening the Head bolts after refitting a HG but what are the torque settings for just tightening up the bolts ?? give them a tweak a little at a time or is there a standard torque figure?
2) im pretty sure rad weld wont stop a HG leak but my mech wasnt 100% sure it was a HG failure so suggested that? i know products like irontite can cause real big problems eventually but is it the same for radweld?
3) does anyone know any good reputable indies that specialise in v8s etc in kent? speciafically near the maidstone area?

cheers guys
Click to expand...

Depends if you have stretch bolts fitted, they must be angle tightened you cannot just nip them up. Rad weld is for what it says sealing radiators not for head gaskets. Judging by the advice they give it's possibly a good job they won't touch it.
 
I could give you a number of a guy in Deal. He is a friend of mine and a landy man, he did my 4.6 in April. Made a nice job of it for not alot of cash. Not sure if he would travel that far though. Give me a call on 07977 535626 as im away from the internet this weekend.
 
frosty2008 said:
v8boy thanks for that. ill call you saturday. i dont mind traveling and could do with a day at the sea side!!
Click to expand...

Throw a pressure test and skim into the mix and I reckon you're looking at 2 days minimum.
The job itself is a doddle. I bought mine a non runner and did the head gaskets myself with help from a mate who knew more than me about them although it seems he didn't know enough as both gaskets were refitted upside down :doh:
I've had mine in bits since to rectify the issue of upside down head gaskets and promise you, RR are possibly one of the easiest cars to work on mechanically, its just the electrics that are a pain in the arse.
 
I'll agree with hamster. I did mine in february. Check out my posts from around then cause i think i covered all issues! It's an easier job than you think. You said you are methodical, thats what you need! Oh and a 16mm impact socket (read the posts it'll all become clear) Good luck, keep us posted
 
P38_love/hatething said:
I'll agree with hamster. I did mine in february. Check out my posts from around then cause i think i covered all issues! It's an easier job than you think. You said you are methodical, thats what you need! Oh and a 16mm impact socket (read the posts it'll all become clear) Good luck, keep us posted
Click to expand...

Yeah think i remember that one. Actual spanner size for head bolts is 5/8 unified but it maybe difficult, unless you go to a proper tool supplier, to get a 5/8 impact socket in these days of metric crap. So as 5/8 is 15.875mm, 16mm does the job just fine.
 
onc e youve taken the exhaust manifolds off everfything else is easy. You need a 500mm bar to tighten up head bolts. Check the colour of all the plugs. Mark them up as this will tell you exactley whats going on in each cylinder. You need a long 10mm socket 12 point to get the barstools at the rear of the manifold.
 
Reel steal do a set of studs that are supposed to be more secure than the stretch bolts normally used, when I do my heads I will use these.
 
And If your feeling flush get a set of big valve gas flowed heads and and inlet manifold with larger inlet trumpets from JE mmm nice.
 
jonny427 said:
Reel steal do a set of studs that are supposed to be more secure than the stretch bolts normally used, when I do my heads I will use these.
Click to expand...

ARP Studs. I fitted a set in mine when I did it. I imagined there would be less chance of pulling the thread through the ally block if I fitted studs.
Mine cost £153 inc postage from RPi
 
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