Things You'll Need:
- Sockets
- Wrenches
- Torque wrench
- A new head gasket
- Fresh coolant
- Fresh oil
- Parts cleaner
- Battery charger (high output, depending on application)
- Haynes Manual for your vehicle (obtainable from any parts store or dealership)
- A helper
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Step 1
Disconnect your battery, ECU (if equipped) and fuel hookups and drain your coolant.
Also, disconnect your ignition system and spark plugs. -
Step 2
Remove the air intake and throttle body/carburetor, vacuum lines, coolant lines and intake plenum.
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Step 3
Once you have these items removed, set piston No. 1 to Top Dead Center (TDC) and remove your timing belt. (Or chain/gears depending on your application)
To set Top Dead Center, refer to the Haynes manual for your vehicle. This method varies from vehicle to vehicle, and using the wrong method could damage your valve train and/or rotating assembly.
The most common way of setting this is to apply power to the starter motor directly via a battery charger to limit current and turn off the battery charger when piston No. 1 is at Top Dead Center. If this is not an option, you can often use a ratchet. There will be a bolt on the harmonic balancer (The big pulley on the front of the engine) and turning this will turn the engine.
Do not move the engine or cam(s) after this point! -
Step 4
Disconnect the headers. Sometimes it is possible to simply disconnect; however, space requirements may dictate that you need to remove them entirely.
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Step 5
Remove the timing covers.You may also need to remove the push rods and rockers if your vehicle is equipped with overhead valves.
Overhead cam users can remove the entire assembly as one. -
Step 6
Remove the head bolts in the reverse order from tightening them. The order can be found in a Haynes manual.
If you do not have this information, use a cross hatch pattern. Loosen the first bolt on your left. Carry on un-tightening in this order until all bolts are hand-tight and remove together. Do not remove one bolt until you can remove all at once. Remove the bolts and keep track of where they went. -
Step 7
The most demanding part of the task is removing the head or heads. You might want to use another person. Do not force it off.
Prying at it can damage the mating surface severely enough that you will have a whole new set of leaks not repairable by a head gasket. -
Step 8
Remove the old head gasket and clean the mating surface with parts cleaner. It should simply pull up, if it does not, pry it up with your fingernail. Again, do not use metal objects on the mating surface.
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Step 9
Place the new head gasket(s) onto the block. Make sure to have it lined up correctly with the cylinders. There should be no overhang of the gasket into the cylinders or outside the edge of the block.
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Step 10
Place the head or heads back on. If the gasket is moving when you attempt to place the head back on, try inserting pencils into the bolt holes. Use a torque wrench and torque to the correct amount.
Refer to your vehicle repair manual (such as Haynes) for correct torque amounts. -
Step 11
Put everything back in reverse order.
Remember to reconnect the battery, ECU and all vacuum, fuel and coolant lines. -
Step 12
Refill the coolant and change your oil before starting your vehicle.
