Eric,
it is a pain but can be done yourself of you have average mechanical skills.
The key is to get a good headgasket. The one from GM is junk compared to
the FelPro gasket. About the only special tools is a torque angle meter to
properly torque the head bolts, and a hamronic balancer puller. It took me
about 15 hours (using hand tools) the when I did one on my car.
Here is a quick outline:
1) remove Exhuast manifold, intake manifold & fuel injectors
2) Take off accessory belt & pull harmonic balancer & cover to the timing
chain housing & PS belt
4) Remove timing chain & cam sprockets
5) Remove timing chain housing
6) Remove IDI (Integrated Direct Ignition) System. It looks like a valve
cover on top of the engine
7) Remove the 2 cam housings & cams
8) Remove Head
While you have it apart you may as well replace the water pump. It is easy
when doing a head gasket change but a pain to do by itself. Make sure you
put the Cam Housing to Timing Chain Housing gaskets in correctly or they
will leak. Figure $100 to $200 for a FelPro gasket kit.
Hope this helps..
Mike Taylor
DSP '88 Grand Am, Quad 4
----- Original Message -----
From: "Eric Linnhoff" <eric10mm@qni.com>
To: "autox list" <autox@autox.team.net>
Sent: Saturday, March 10, 2001 12:36 AM
Subject: Quad 4 headgasket
> So I've got a co-worker who wants to sell me a well used Olds Calais with
> the Quad 4 engine in it. 190K on the odometer and he says a blown
> headgasket, it's been sitting since last November. But the price is right.
>
> Are these headgaskets any harder to replace than most other engines? Any
> tricks to make it easier?
>
> As usual, thanks in advance folks.
>
> Eric Linnhoff in KC
> #69 STS TLS #13
> '98 Neon R/T (4 door)
> <eric10mm@qni.com>
> ICQ# 101282513
|