Hey guys, my head gasket finally went on me today as I was driving to my fiance's house to do my rear brake swap. Anyway, I have 119k miles so obviously it is time to do the timing belt as well. What do I need/should I get while I am doing this. I am not trying to spend a fortune, but I know it will be a little costly for parts. Also, when I have the head checked and milled if needed, I would like to shave the head, but how much can we do? Thanks!

just get a topend gasket kit and a new belt and tensioner. I would probably go ahead and replace the t-belt rollers,water pump, spark plugs, and thermostat too. NAPA sells a complete t-belt kit that includes the belt and rollers. It does not include the tensioner though. Have a machine shop check the head and let them mill down as much that is needed.

How much can the head be shaved though? Also, is it worth it to replace the lifters and rollers with the pt style ones? Anything else that should be done while I am in there?

Originally posted by oMInOUs97RS
How much can the head be shaved though?

Are you asking because you want to shave as much as possible? I made a CR calculator a while back. You can see how much to shave to obtain whatever CR you want. http://woodstock.dimensia.com/Garage/Worksheets/CRCalculator.xls A few folks on the board have gotten a higer compression ratio by shaving the head. I'm not sure what the limit is. You'll have to search for that one

If this is just a maintenance thing and you want to make sure that the head isn't warped from blowing the headgasket, then just have them take off as little as possible. In this case, the machine shop will be able to tell you how much it needs to be shaved. 5 to 10 thousanths is usually all thats needed to true any kind of warpage. It may already be true and not need any milling at all.

Originally posted by oMInOUs97RS
Also, is it worth it to replace the lifters and rollers with the pt style ones?

Not nessicarily. They're just as easy to replace with the head/cams already installed. If you've got the cabbage for it, then go ahead. They are better parts then the original stuff. It would be a good time to check the rockers. Inspect them for cracking and check out the rollers. I would suggest replacing the whole set if you see damage on any one of them.

Originally posted by oMInOUs97RS
Anything else that should be done while I am in there?

The valves can only be serviced with the head off. Have the valve guides checked, replace any worn valves/guides/seals, and get a valve job.

It would also be a good time to upgrade the cams IF you want to do that sort of thing. Its not nessicarily a must do thing, but the timing belt has to be off to do it. There are plenty of aftermarket cams to choose from.


95 Eclipse RS : 5 speed
15.7 @ 87.9mph
Jeep TB writeup - http://www.dimensia.com:81/jimbo/JeepTBfor2gnt.html