Head rebuild questions

[dynebaruk]

Right then long story short I'm probably going to do a rebuild sometime in the near future, probably under the supervision of a mate.

What needs to be replaced altogether?

In the headgasket sets I see there's usually:

HEAD GASKET (easy to replace)
ROCER COVER GASKET (easy to replace)
INLET & EXHAUST MANIFOLD GASKET (easy to replace)
CAM SEALS FRONT & REAR (no idea)
VALVE STEM SEALS (no idea)
SET OF CYLINDER HEAD BOLTS (easy with correct sequence and tightness)

So it's the two in bold that I need help with really, just general advice.

Anything else I should do at the same time?

(I've searched already)

[dynebaruk]

Also, I guess I have to take out the valves to replace the stem seals? So will removing the valves affect the timing?

I'll be setting it to TDC when I take the timing belt off.

[lcheater]

Yep you will have to remove the valves to replace the stem seals

[dynebaruk]

will that affect the timing though? Or can I just take them out and put them back in with no worries.

[SaxoSully]

You will need to do the timing and tappets after any way
Sully

[dynebaruk]

So replacing the valve stem seals is going to make the job much harder compared to if I was just going to do just the head-gasket..

[dynebaruk]

You will need to do the timing and tappets after any way
Sully

I don't get what you mean by this? I'll have to do the timing and tappets after what?

[Nick_106]

Saxo Sully means after you have done the headgasket and changed the stem seals you will need to set the tappets and timing anyway!

[dynebaruk]

If I just did the headgasket though (without stem seals etc.) then I wouldn't have to get the timing done would I?

Obviously I have to remove the timing belt but if I put a new one back on in the same position then I won't have any problems?

[luthor1]

When removing the cambelt for *any* reason, the proper procedure of timing it back in and correctly tensioning the belt MUST be followed.

Andy

[dynebaruk]

Sorry to be a pain but I'm still confused but I want to learn and be able to stuff myself.

I can understand why you say the tensioning must be correct but what else needs to be done? From what I've read on here plenty of people have removed the cambelt and replaced it without problems.

[SaxoSully]

Yes but then you must re-time and then do the tappets as the valves have been removed
Sully

[dynebaruk]

What if I don't remove the valves though?

[SaxoSully]

well I d do the tappets anyway as it isn't a big job and will help performance (If not set correctly at present) and help maintain a good engine

[dynebaruk]

Yeah I might aswell do that, read up on it abit, looks fairly easy.

So I take off timing belt, take the head off, replace JUST the headgasket, put the head back on, adjust the tappets as needed, put a new timing belt back on, then everything should be ok? Won't need to be taken to a garage to have the timing done.

Correct or incorrect?

[SaxoSully]

If your replacing the timing belt or even removing it you should re-time unless you want some bent valves

[dynebaruk]

Ahh right, guess that's a garage job then is it?

[SaxoSully]

Just depends how mechanicly minded you are and hiving the right tools but know think you should defo have a go if you think you could do the head gasket
Sully

[dynebaruk]

I'll have a look into it, I wouldn't know where to start right now. I'm pretty confident that I could adjust the tappets mind.

Thanks for the help :y:

[pjm300]

with standard cams, the haynes is good enough to set the timing up

[dynebaruk]

that's handy, my haynes came in the post today :)

[pjm300]

have a read through it, its fairly self explanatory, if you can borrow the dti gauge, it will help

[dynebaruk]

Yeah I'm having a look now, very tempted to have a crack myself but I want to be confident in what I'm doing first.

[Drago]

Wont make a blind bit of difference if you remove the valves or not setting the timing will still be needed. Piece of piss on an 8v, locking hole in flywheel aswell as locking point for camshaft.

If youre going to the trouble of chaging the headgasket you may aswell change as many bits as possible, you will be gutted if something fails a week after you have had it all to bits.

IMO

Head gasket
Head bolts
Water pump
Tensioner/idler
Valve stem seals
Auxillary belt
Cam belt
Cam shaft seal

Dont forget you will need all of the necessary special tools to do the job.
Torque wrench, angle gauge, square wrench for tensioner. Feller guage for setting valve clearances.

And remember Haynes manual is your friend;)

[dynebaruk]

Thanks, will look into it and price stuff up :y:

If I got stuck then I guess I could do all the replacement of parts and then tow the car to a garage to get the timing done? Or would moving the wheels ruin stuff..?

[pjm300]

will be fine as long as its in neutral

[dynebaruk]

That's ok then, just as a back up plan :y:

If I don't try then I wont learn.