Head gasket repair walk through - go to post #31!

What I am interested in - and probably other newbies that have not done a head gasket job on a multi - are tips for what to do and what not to do and how to do it, from people that have done this job.

I would like this to turn into a walk-through for the head gasket job. Seeing that you clicked on this thread, it is likely that you either need this info or that you can contribute.

The TM for multi engine repair speaks to the teardown and re-assembly process. As I know from many other jobs, there are different ways for getting the work done right. If you work in an armed forces garage overhauling an engine, with access to whatever tools you need and ample time on your hands, it may be worthwhile to disassemble everything, as per TM. Experienced mechanics here on SS may be able to tell first timers, how to do a good job without getting themselves into a mess.


Some things I throw out there:

- removing valve train, yes or no? Can I leave the guts of the head intact?
- someone removed heads with manifolds, turbo etc. left attached. Advisable?
- details on block surface prepping; scotchbrite pads a no-no?
- when using m35-tom's new style head gaskets, is there any additional coating (Permatex; if so, which one?) advisable? All around or just certain areas?
- head bolt wrench; I saw many home-made ingenious solutions and a suggestion to use a 7/8 sensor socket.


I collected threads that contain some information, many are really useful, but none is "THE" authoritative thread on doing this job. My theory is that if there are so many threads on one subject, none of them has all the needed info!

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce/1989-head-gasket-leak.html?highlight=head+gasket+leak
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce/46425-head-gasket-what-else-check.html?highlight=head+gasket
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce/46285-better-long-life-head-gaskets.html?highlight=head+gasket
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce/40794-radiator-head-gasket-problem.html?highlight=head+gasket
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce/...-oil-leak-question.html?highlight=head+gasket
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce/44735-multifuel-head-gaskets.html?highlight=head+gasket
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce/43935-bad-head-gasket.html?highlight=head+gasket
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce/42476-white-smoke-need-assistance.html?highlight=head+gasket
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce/40801-blown-head-gasket.html?highlight=head+gasket
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce/24022-white-smoke-noise.html?highlight=head+gasket
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce/38174-guess-who-needs-headgasket.html?highlight=head+gasket
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce/35604-bad-head-gasket.html?highlight=head+gasket
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce/28659-headgaskets.html?highlight=head+gasket
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce/...e-lash-info-needed.html?highlight=head+gasket
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce/23225-valve-cover-gasket-leaking-again.html?highlight=head+gasket
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce/21255-head-gasket-replacement.html?highlight=head+gasket
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce/16709-redoing-m35a2-headgasket.html?highlight=head+gasket
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce/11295-all-freeze-plug.html
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce/15298-gasket-time.html?highlight=head+gasket
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce/11342-465-head-gasket-retorques.html?highlight=head+gasket
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce/10460-head-gaskets.html?highlight=head+gasket
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce/3182-head-gasket-problem-perhaps-not.html?highlight=head+gasket
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce/8698-multifuel-head-gaskets.html?highlight=head+gasket
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce/5909-head-gasket-questions.html?highlight=head+gasket
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce/5757-blown-head-gasket-help.html?highlight=head+gasket
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce/4783-head-gasket.html?highlight=head+gasket
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce/2480-head-gasket-repair.html?highlight=head+gasket
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce/1384-head-gasket-questions.html?highlight=head+gasket
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce/...-158-lbs-ldt-465-a.html?highlight=head+gasket
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce/49298-head-gaskets-freeze-plugs-begins.html (Garandfan changes his head gasket)
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce/52752-yet-another-blown-head-gasket.html
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/5-ton-up/26842-lds-465-1a-inframe-headgasket-job-pictures.html (gimpyrobb does the job on a 5-ton LDS Multifuel; same thing at that level)
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce/52752-yet-another-blown-head-gasket.html
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce/65455-i-start-changing-out-head-gaskets-today.html (dabtl's head gasket job and home-made tool)
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce/69213-changing-head-gaskets-dual-egt-gauge-test-program.html (fire ring embedded in head; advice on installing pre and post pyrometer while heads are off)


http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce/29647-cylinder-head-wrench.html
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce/93-head-bolt-tool-worth-having.html?highlight=head+gasket
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce/46818-check-out-my-new-tool.html (how to make a head bolt tool, how to calculate torque for offset tools)
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce/46390-photos-my-truck-2.html
http://www.bunkerofdoom.com/travel/steelsoldiers1/20061027/index.html (old and new style gasket side by side)
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/attachments/deuce/124833d1243124843-bad-head-gasket-deuce-052.avi (blown head gasket video with sound)

man just tear into it! Experience is the best teacher!

WOW, you did some searching! My hat is off to you brother.

You will be replacing a gasket that will change the ht of the cylinder by a few thousandths, remove the rockers and re set the overhead, you'll be surprised how well they run with a good tune up.

If you feel strong, go ahead and remove things as an assembly, you'll still need to disassemble it on the bench to replace the gaskets and it will be easier to put the stuff back together when the components are separated. If you have any experience on diesel engines, you will find it easy.

I just use a nice flat scraper and scotch brite pad to clean things up on the deck and a sanding block on the head surface. If you are removing the old multi piece gaskets, just make sure the head has no grooves from the old fire ring. If there is, you'll need to resurface.

The new gaskets will be just like FelPro gaskets for a chevy. No sealant, make sure things are clean and dry when you go together. No re-torque needed.

A sensor socket will not get the nuts on the pump side of the engine. You will need to buy, borrow or make a wrench to get at these for the assembly torque. You can disassemble with a box end wrench.

It can be done in a day if you keep at it. A day meaning around 10 hrs.

Good luck, have fun and take some pics!

I agree with what has been said other than that an O2 sensor socket wont work. I used one that I ground a little and it slipped right past the injector ports and behind the coolant line to the oil cooler no prob with a 10" extension. I did mine about a month ago. I highly recomend having the heads ground no matter what, they took .004 off of mine. It is also recommended in the directions that come with Toms gasket set.I would also say that those heads are heavy enogh by themselves I would remove everything you can. Good luck .

Outstanding thread!

Excellent search cattlerepairman! I know that several, if not all, would be interested in this!

Thanks for the post!

Cattlerepairman, we are now going to send new guys to you when they don't know how to search, as your search skills are obviously strong.

The grasshopper is now the teacher

WOW! That's some searching! thanks!
God bless!
Tony

when thr snow melts i will be doing this......thanks much!!

zb39 said:

when thr snow melts i will be doing this......thanks much!!

Click to expand...

The snow is going to melt? When?

Along these similar lines, with the engine out, what do some of you use as an engine stand if you are working on your multi-fuel?
I know that there are several styles & brands of actual engine roll over stands available and I purchased an AC Delco stand for my 6.2 out of my CUCV
but it was made for 1,000 lbs and just barely is strong enough for that 6.2.
A multi-fuel is not a big engine by today's modern standards but to roll it over or support it securely while torquing things can be a challenge in itself.
Sorry as I do not mean to hi-jack this thread.
Perhaps e-mails or PMs if this is not appropriate for here.

jimm1009

When we do engines in the field, we just stand them on the flywheel housing. The engine can be taken down to bare block that way. Just make sure you put a piece of cardboard between the ground and the flywheel housing so the mating surface doesn't get all chewed up.

What should be on the shopping list when preparing for this job?
Which gaskets and hardware are a must-have for this job? Obviously a new set of latest-style (with tabs) head gaskets.
Intake manifold gasket?
Exhaust manifold gasket?
Turbo to manifold gasket(s)?
Which other gaskets?
Any bolts etc. that are not re-useable?

i was able to reuse all my bolts. I did have to buy an entire motor rebuild kit .

I am about to start on the head gaskets this week. I will make sure I take A LOT of PICS step by step. I am going to to remove everything that pretty much has a gasket/seal. WISH ME LUCK!

cattlerepairman said:

What should be on the shopping list when preparing for this job?
Which gaskets and hardware are a must-have for this job? Obviously a new set of latest-style (with tabs) head gaskets.
Intake manifold gasket?
Exhaust manifold gasket?
Turbo to manifold gasket(s)?
Which other gaskets?
Any bolts etc. that are not re-useable?

Click to expand...

(with tabs)?


I may be wrong but I thought tabs were bad. . .

I also am doing this job soon, How much material can safely be removed from the head to block mating surface? up to how many ___ thousandths?

Thanks,
Ed

I'm not sure the max that can be taken off but when I took it too the machine shop he had to do some searching to find out but he ended taking off .004 to make em flat.the black ones look like the good ones one piece.

I just finished a modified mini crane to do this very same job. Kudos for the thread.
I hope to get into it in a week or two. I need to get a pyro as now is the time to do it. 7 Months my duece has been down. I need firewood soon. Plus I just want to drive it.