Hey Guys,


Is there anything else i might need to buy or info you guys would like to recommend?

The first thing you should get if you plan on doing more modifications on your own is a Workshop Manual, such as those by Haynes or Gregory’s. I bought myself a Gregory’s copy for my EL…obviously if you have an EA or an ED, get the matching manual with it. This manual will be your bible during the head gasket change as well as this guide if you printed it out. The Gregory’s manual is very helpful but some parts may not be described in depth or some parts missing, in that case you can refer to this guide.

The parts and items required are as followed:

VRS Head gasket kit – auto stores (buy the one for you model car).
AU Head gasket – genuine from Ford preferably (an option but highly recommended).
New head bolts – from Ford or other auto stores (highly recommended).
Gasket Maker – auto stores, Permatex blue and Permatex red should be fine.
Loctite – Some thread locker glue, I used the blue one.
Motor oil
Oil Filter
Radiator Coolant
Cable Ties
Degreaser
WD40 or Inox

The VRS head gasket kit is mainly required for all the other parts other then the head gasket itself, such as the exhaust, intake and thermostat housing gaskets. There are heaps more parts but I can’t be bothered naming them all.

It is highly recommended that an AU metal head gasket is used instead of the gasket supplied with the VRS kit due to the strength and reliability of the metal AU head gaskets over a composite gasket. You can get a genuine one from Ford for about $50 or so.

It is required to get new head bolts. This is due to the bolts being TTY, Torque To Yield, and stretch after they have been used once. So please do not use the old head bolts once removed. You can keep them for other purposes but not on the engine.

Gasket maker and thread locker is also required during the change. I bought Permatex blue and red for different areas. But for this exercise you will most likely only need the red one, since it withstands higher temperatures I believe. Thread locker is needed for certain bolts and also comes in handy if you do other modifications to the vehicle.

You will need new oil, oil filter, radiator coolant and also some cable ties. Reason for oil, filter and coolant is really self explanatory. Cables ties will be needed to hold the timing chain onto the camshaft sprocket so that it doesn’t skip a tooth, you will see later if you don’t know what I was yapping about.

WD40 and degreaser will come in handy. Not so much WD40 but degreaser. There is never enough degreaser when it comes to this kind of job.

In addition the stuff listed, you’ll need spare rags or old clothing so you can wipe most of the parts clean. You might also need lint free cloth/rags for blocking oil return holes, I used a clean plastic bag to cover the holes and it seemed to have done the job very well.

If you are also changing your standard camshaft for a regrind performance camshaft, you will also need to get extra shims for the rockers. These shims can be obtained at Ford for approximately $50 give or take a couple of bucks for a set of 12. Though make sure you know what size shim is required according to the manufacturer of the camshaft as well as the model engine. These shims sit in each of the rocker arms and are put in place to make up for the amount of metal shaved off the standard camshaft.

=\ hmmmmmm, How come my ford dealer wants to charge me $80 for an AU Head Gasket, yet everyone tells me it should be $50-60 ='(.

Can anyone help me out?