I'm changing my head gasket this weekend, what all do I need? I know I need new intake/exhaust manifold gaskets, and the head gasket, but what else? Also, if anyone happens to have a write up on this, it'd be great, lol.


adam

I recommend attaining all the necessary parts for changing a timing belt, since you'll essentially be changing that out as well(and distancing yourself from another 60k miles from when you'll need to do it again). So:

-Head Gasket with appropriate sealer ($50)
-New Head bolts(ARP studs recommended-$100 or stock head bolts-$30)
-Valve cover gasket ($30)
-Timing belt($50)
-New Tensioner ($~70)

(You may just want to call Bob Kise and get teh whole upper gasket set. That'll get you everything including the exhaust and intake gaskets, the valve cover gasket, and HG. Make sure and get the tensioner and either the head bolts and timing belt if you want those stock)

I think the above are the essentials. Have a Chiltons or FSM handy and give yourself a couple of long weekend days. If you have more than 100k miles alreayd on the car, think about having the head resurfaced. It's likely to have some warpage that you won't be able to see with the naked eye. Given that the new MLS HG's aren't organic, its even more essentialy that your mating surfaces are totally clean and flat.

Yeah depending on mileage you may want to concider idler pulley also. While everything is apart if high mileage you might as well do a water pump, it'a easy to do while it's all apart. A pain any other time.

(Let's see what XTRemeRS has to say since we seem to be replying to all posts today at the same time)

One who displays himself does not shine.
One who justifies himself has no glory.
One who boasts of his own ability has no merit.
One who parades his own success will not endure.
- Lao Tzu

>Yeah depending on mileage you may want to concider idler
>pulley also. While everything is apart if high mileage you
>might as well do a water pump, it'a easy to do while it's
>all apart. A pain any other time.
>
>(Let's see what XTRemeRS has to say since we seem to be
>replying to all posts today at the same time)
>
> hehe...well lets see...a full gasket kit from the good ol dealer, and some....BEER :) Dont forget the copper gasket spray too...oh yeah, oil, antifreeze, WD-40, and puller to get off the crank pulley. That should do it for now :thumbsup

Where are you getting your prices from? If it is online, hook me up with adress please. Napa isn't a good source for this stuff.
I will be taking this adventure on this weekend as well, however, i havn't purchased anything yet, so I am trying to get everything together soon.
Thanks.

>Where are you getting your prices from?

Call Bob Kies. I don't have his information handy, but it's been posted numerous times. Everything is based off of his pricing, save for the timing belt. You can get a NAPA "special" for that one. They sell Gates' belts and I can see no discernible difference between that one and the stock one. Even the lines run the same way.

Used the board search engine, came up dry...
If anyone Has Bob Kies' Info, please post it.. Thanks.
I suppose a phone number or a website would do :P

Thanks again,

>Used the board search engine, came up dry...
>If anyone Has Bob Kies' Info, please post it.. Thanks.
>I suppose a phone number or a website would do :P


The reason you missed it while searching is because his name is Bob Kise :)

Bob Kise : 810-714-3300

somewhere in Michigan

cam seals and some Mopar ATF-RTV... also, a long breaker bar.

I can't believe I forgot TORQUE WRENCH TORQUE WRNECH!!!!!!!!! absolutely necassary!

One who displays himself does not shine.
One who justifies himself has no glory.
One who boasts of his own ability has no merit.
One who parades his own success will not endure.
- Lao Tzu

Hey, as long as I have the head off, could I have it shaved down a bit to raise compression? has anyone done this? if so, how much did you have shaved off?

adam