Wednesday, November 24, 2010

How hard would it be for a newbie to change a head gasket with repair manual in a 87 tercel?

You'd better plan on an engine shop lined up to check the flatness of the head and re-machining flat if they're not. Throwing a head gasket on a motor doesn't solve the real problem. The cylinder head is the hottest running part of an internal combustion engine other than the tops of the pistons.How hard would it be for a newbie to change a head gasket with repair manual in a 87 tercel?
Head Gaskets are no piece of cake especially for a newbie. Repair manual isn't as helpful as say a Mechanic doing it for you while you watch so that way you know how to repair it again.How hard would it be for a newbie to change a head gasket with repair manual in a 87 tercel?
for a newbie.... u will need about couple cases of beer because u will be frustrated. beer will help u to calm down. good luckHow hard would it be for a newbie to change a head gasket with repair manual in a 87 tercel?
Do you have a torque wrench?How hard would it be for a newbie to change a head gasket with repair manual in a 87 tercel?
out of ten, probably a ten. Its not the easiest repair for someone who doesn't know what there doing. There are a lot of possible mistakes to be made during this repair.How hard would it be for a newbie to change a head gasket with repair manual in a 87 tercel?
run with it/what have you got to lose?How hard would it be for a newbie to change a head gasket with repair manual in a 87 tercel?
it would be hard if you have never taken apart an engine. you have to take the whole top half of the engine off and thats the easy part. putting it back together is the hard part and and if you dont put it back together right you can break valves and can cost you alot of money. best bet is to go with a mechanicHow hard would it be for a newbie to change a head gasket with repair manual in a 87 tercel?
I've answered a few of these questions %26amp; gone so far as suggesting one put a $5$ tube of aluma seal in the rad as opposed to paying someone upwards of a thousand bucks to do the job.



This is generic advice, not specific to your make %26amp; model.

First you are going to need metric sockets %26amp; wrenches. You will start by tearing everything on top of the engine off so you can gain access to the job. Is this fuel injected or throttle body? Fuel injected will have a whole lot more to remove.

Second, with the top of the engine cleaned off, remove the intake manifold. This is not rocket science, bust pull the bolts that hold it to the head.

Third, remove the bolts that connect the exhaust manifold to the head. On some models they are hard to gain access to, %26amp; they are almost always tighter than a ***** because of the high heat they are continually exposed to.

(This is all sounding easier than it is.)

Pull your valve covers.

Now you are down to the bolts that go through the head %26amp; hold it to the block. These are big bolts, %26amp; usually have a pretty healthy torque to them. If this is an aluminum block, they won't be torqued as tight as if it was a cast iron block. Still, you are going to want a serious breaker bar at your disposal %26amp; good (not cheap chinese) 6 point sockets.

After that, the head(s) should pop off.

With a scraper, CAREFULLY remove gasket residue from mating surfaces of block %26amp; head.

You should have already had a book -- a Chiltons or Haynes with instructions %26amp; illustrations is fine.

Install gaskets, %26amp; then begin reinstallation in reverse of teardown.

The bolts that hold the head to the block need to be torqued in a specific order. Your book will illustrate the order. Your book will also give you the torque value. Don't settle for %26quot;pretty tight%26quot; with the breaker bar you removed them with. Use a torque wrench. Beg, buy, borrow or steal.



How bad is your head gasket leaking?

If it is just seepuing a bit into the combustion chamber, I don't care what anyone says, I'd soon as take a chance with a tube of alumasea in the rad as opposed to putting myself through this job or dropping 1000$ plus to have it done downtown.



Good luck.How hard would it be for a newbie to change a head gasket with repair manual in a 87 tercel?
Fairly difficult, but if you concentrate and follow the manual carefully you should be fine. Make sure you have a tension wrench to tension the head bolts, and feeler gauges and straight edge to check any warp or hollows in the head as specified in the repair manual. It is a fairly big job though.

If you have a a leaking head gasket that isn't too bad, you could try a chemical sealer to keep you going.

I've used this metallic seal-up head gasket sealer quite a few times with good results that last for years. You'll find it at your auto parts store. Also follow the instructions closely.

It's a heap less work and cost than a head gasket change. I'm well versed in changing head gaskets and I use this seal up in preference.