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Topic: Gotta change a head gasket need help... (Read 4372 times) previous topic - next topic

Gotta change a head gasket need help...

Ok I never did this job before but I gotta, found out I got a starting to leak head gasket.  Im not paying the guy 500 bucks to do it so I will...


Im gonna do the manfold while im at it too..

I need to know the specs on torcing how much to torce it and what the specs of which ones to do first and etc...


Any + Information on this would be helpful too.

Thanks,
~Crusher
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Gotta change a head gasket need help...

Reply #1 –
im going to try to see if i understand what your asking here.
are you sure you gaskets are blown?
what motor?
you may as well do the intake gaskets since youll be removing them anyway.
what bolts do you need .lbs force on specifically?
this is what a haynes manual is good for
"Beating the hell out of other peoples cars since 1999"
1983 Ford Thunderbird Heritage
1984 Ford Mustang GT Turbo Convertible
2015 Ford Focus SE 1.0 EcoBoost

Gotta change a head gasket need help...

Reply #2 –
If it's a V-6 or V-8,do both head gaskets.Never change just one when they are old gaskets.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Gotta change a head gasket need help...

Reply #3 –
Its a v8 5.0L Im doing both Head Gaskets and The manfold gaskets ....  I never took apart a engine before so I hope I can do this :S..
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Gotta change a head gasket need help...

Reply #4 –
Do your research,ask a lot of questions,and we'll help you through it.Mark the distributor location if you pull it.I didn't pull mine,I just left in the engine and pulled the heads and intake.No problems at all.It's not that hard really.Make sure you se off all of the old gasket material from the block and heads.The cleaner the better.Now is a good time to swap to E-7 heads as well.Cheap,and a step up from the E-6 heads,and did I mention cheap?Any 5.0 EFI Ford pickup has them.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Gotta change a head gasket need help...

Reply #5 –
yea but money is really tight, and Im not looking for speed anymore I just need a car to get me to a and b without a problem... 

I don't have to take off the distributor tho right?

And how long u think it will take to do this job completely?  or even to get to the heads...
I can get to the value covers in 15-20 min :D but there farther away I believe then them :-p
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Gotta change a head gasket need help...

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Crusher;215440
Its a v8 5.0L Im doing both Head Gaskets and The manfold gaskets ....  I never took apart a engine before so I hope I can do this :S..


Don't rush, ask before you do something stupid, and don't drop anything into the shortblock.

So are you planning on doing this all in one day or in stages. I suggest stages that way we can help you as you go..

First things first what did you do so far.
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Gotta change a head gasket need help...

Reply #7 –
I think it would take a beginner at about 10-12 hours. Depending how long you get jammed up with the exhaust and stuff.
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Gotta change a head gasket need help...

Reply #8 –
I kind of need to do it in one day :S Its my normal car and I only have off tomorrow...

So far I have gotta the new head bolts, 2 gaskets, and the manfold gaskets :S Also anti-freeze and oil. plus seal.
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Gotta change a head gasket need help...

Reply #9 –
WAIT EXHAUST WHAT u mean, this on top of the engine why would I need to mess with that :S...... <-- Noob
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Gotta change a head gasket need help...

Reply #11 –
Quote from: Crusher;215452
WAIT EXHAUST WHAT u mean, this on top of the engine why would I need to mess with that :S...... <-- Noob


you need to drop the exhaust section that attaches to your headers or exhaust manifolds. That way you can take them off the head.

This is a really good time to add headers and h pipe if you got some extra money
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Gotta change a head gasket need help...

Reply #12 –
<-- Poor as hell right now...  Just got apartment and finishing off paying debts LOL...  I just detailed a truck for 125 bucks for the parts needed for this job...
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Gotta change a head gasket need help...

Reply #13 –
Quote
orque to about 20ft/lbs on the first tightening sequence then to factory specs on the final go around



Is this correct for the v8???
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Gotta change a head gasket need help...

Reply #14 –
Quote from: vinnietbird;215444
Do your research,ask a lot of questions,and we'll help you through it.Mark the distributor location if you pull it.I didn't pull mine,I just left in the engine and pulled the heads and intake.No problems at all.It's not that hard really.Make sure you se off all of the old gasket material from the block and heads.The cleaner the better.Now is a good time to swap to E-7 heads as well.Cheap,and a step up from the E-6 heads,and did I mention cheap?Any 5.0 EFI Ford pickup has them.


I'm with vinnie on this, save your money till you can put e7's on. Most of the time you can find E7's for $0-$75 with no problem.
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