First one was in 2002. Got 110,000 miles from it. Just blew another one. Thing is, I checked for flatness and it is flat. used a 0.002" guage. But the valve grinding shop said routinely they resurface even if it is flat. Should I be concerned? I know if youy shave off too much it can be a bad thing. Can our valved crash into the piston? (1987 sunbird GT non turbo, 2.0L engine. )
Doing another head gasket
- Thread starter pippo
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You have to be cutting a significant amount to even consider valve interference.
Are you using Felrpo head gaskets?
Are you using a click type torque wrench when installing the head?
Is the torque wrench stored, when not used, set to it's minimum setting to insure prolonged accuracy?
Are you using Felrpo head gaskets?
Are you using a click type torque wrench when installing the head?
Is the torque wrench stored, when not used, set to it's minimum setting to insure prolonged accuracy?
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92 Sunbird LE
Well-known member
Non Interference motor.
How many miles on the 2nd gasket?
Is the engine getting too hot?
These heads are crack prone between the valves.
Mine has 149k miles and never been apart and I have no thermostat, and a switch for the cooling fan, and I never let it get more than halfway on the temp guage.
Doug in P.R.
How many miles on the 2nd gasket?
Is the engine getting too hot?
These heads are crack prone between the valves.
Mine has 149k miles and never been apart and I have no thermostat, and a switch for the cooling fan, and I never let it get more than halfway on the temp guage.
Doug in P.R.
Thanks, people. Engine never got hot. Torque wrench is from a trusted mechanic friend. It has 210,000 miles on the car. gasket just blew and anti freeze oozed out producing much white smoke. Shut off car immediately. 1st gasket was put on at about 105,000 miles, so got same amount of mileage from 2nd one. Im using felpro gaskets but am not impressed at the cork valve cover gasket. I will throw it out in the trash. Good to know engine is not interference type.
Any reason why a click type wrench is better/worse than say, a lever/guage type?
Lastly- manual says that after torquing warm up engine to running temp, shut off engine, and torque additional 30-50 degrees, but it doesnt mention if one should do it WHILE it is warm, or wait til it cools off. How do you interpret it?
Thanks.
Any reason why a click type wrench is better/worse than say, a lever/guage type?
Lastly- manual says that after torquing warm up engine to running temp, shut off engine, and torque additional 30-50 degrees, but it doesnt mention if one should do it WHILE it is warm, or wait til it cools off. How do you interpret it?
Thanks.
______________________________
92 Sunbird LE
Well-known member
Maybe try another set of new head bolts?
Clicktype is way better than the old lever type torque wrench.
Alot of people don't like Felpro head gaskets, don't know if anything else is available out there for these motors.
Cometics are good........
Maybe get the head touched up on the mill this time.....
After cool down it's time to retorque.
Doug in P.R.
Clicktype is way better than the old lever type torque wrench.
Alot of people don't like Felpro head gaskets, don't know if anything else is available out there for these motors.
Cometics are good........
Maybe get the head touched up on the mill this time.....
After cool down it's time to retorque.
Doug in P.R.
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Update: Instructions say to determine if any bolts go through any coolant passages, and to coat them with some RTV sealant. Does anyone here know if our cars (87 sunbird, non turbo, 2.0L) have such bolts? Or should I not worry about it?