DIY for head gasket replacement?

[Frey7190]

Well since no one replied to my last post, I took it upon myself to find the leak myself. I went to Kragen and bought some oil dye, and with a UV light found my mysterious oil leak.

It looks like its coming from the front part of the valve covers and then running back to the rear part of the Headers where they leave the engine and go down to the cat.

Since I am going to replace the valve cover gaskets should I just go into the head and replace the head gasket?

 

[88 bronco 2]

not if you dont have a problem with it because if you take them off and sont do it just right you will warp or crack the head real soon

 

[Frey7190]

Well how hard is it to do? I simply get access to it, cover up the hole, scrape the old gasket off and then put some rtv on the head, put the gasket on, and then torque the bolts.. right??

 

[malohnes]

Head bolts are not reusable so you'll need a set for each head. Also note that I understand no RTV on heads, makes leaks problems worse if they develop and can create leaks as well. I suggest if it ain't broke don't fix.

 

[88 bronco 2]

i just did mine on my 88 ranger 2.9 and it is a pain in the ass you have to take the whole top of the engine apart (wires,upper intake, lower intake, exhaust, alt, ps, air compressor, distributor, rocker arms, push rods) and thats just what i remember off the top of my head and it is a pain in the ass so if it isn't broke dont fix it
you can also warp the head if you dont take it off right and if you dont torque it right and it is also a pain to torque you do it in two steps to 55 ft lbs and then wait 5 min and turn them 90degrees (1/4 turn) ( and that is real hard)
so like i said dont do it if you dont have to

 

[Frey7190]

Thanks you guys! After consulting with the company that rebuilt my motor back 25k ago, they told me I am experiencing a head gasket leak. So I got down to the rocker arms, removed a bunch of stuff from the truck, and then ended up having it towed on a flat bed because the rocker arm bolts and the cylinder head bolts were so locked in place, not even the impact gun could get them out.

So the Engine Company, the comp that rebuilt my motor, told me they would give it a try and while they were at it, make sure my head isn't warped. Then they would remount it all to where I left off and put the new gasket in for me.