G'day

Well that time in an EF's life has come and its time for me to change the head gasket on the XR. Has a slow leak that will on day get bigger so i figured i may as well change while i have the cash and time, so ill get into next weekend

So please excuse my ignorance, i have been doing my research and i would like a few things cleared up. I have a very basic socket and spanner set, i will probably borrow a torque wrench off a mate or something to get the head back on. Ive done a few basic mechanical repairs such as p/s pump replacement and basic servicing.

-Whats the difference between impact sockets and a standard socket set?
-I don't have a garage so while the heads off will i need to cover the block up to stop s**t getting in the bottom end? if so whats a good common item to use?
-Wheres the best place in canberra to get the gaskets from and how much should i expect to pay?
-Where in canberra should i take my head to get it checked?
-What stupid mistakes are easily done? (if it can be done i am likely to do it)
-Any other advice???????

Thanks

hmm standard socket set may or may not hack the tightness off the bolts if they arent hex sockets forget it the will break or you will round the head bolts.

main things you have to be carefull of is the timing chain tensioner this needs to be reset when you put the camshaft back in, i F**k it up and ended up buying a new engine.

-Impact sockets have thicker/stronger walls and only come with 6 sides.
-Use some clean lint free cloth.
-Go genuine AU metal head gasket. From Ford
-At a Cylinder head specialist, sorry don't know of any in Canberra, though I'm sure you will find one.
-Broken or rounded head bolts, failure to cable tie chain to cam sprocket, Breaking top chain guide off when lifting head off, Failure to torque head bolts down using the correct procedure, not using new head bolts.

you don't need an impact socket - just a decent brand single hex socket! I used my Repco Tools long socket, it's just a single hex deep socket - not impact and it more than coped!

As for the headgaskets, depends which your fitting,I went fo rthe ACL Race Series, but prolly should have got a genuine Ford AU one though (as there all metal). Considred going one of the ACL Copper ones, but there too thick...

Don't forget to zip tie the timing chain to teh cam shaft sprocket, and to release the timing chain tensioner.

As for covering the block, don't stress too much, as you'll probably flush your oil out after your done and you'll have to drain your coolant to do it so you can flush that too. but just a big cloth or sheet of something to cover it will be fine.

were to take the head to. any decent lookign engine place (preferably one that doesn't deal with cars, but only the engines). have a chat to some mechanics and find who they use or see if there's a Repco Workshop there.

Last edited by twr7cx on Mon Jan 30, 2006 4:15 pm, edited 1 time in total.

try this link mate....it is for a CFI but the basics are there for MPFI

http://www.eseries.com.au/portal/kb.php?mode=article&k=15

most sockets are hex sockets! there just usually double or tripple hex, were what you want is single hex.

you and i both know about the timing chain tensioner dramas! at least mines not as bad... i think the head was jinxed!

yeah already got that one, and ive got a gregorys manual, and rapiers attempt at it as well.

Definatley not short of documents on the process

got the head off this evening, and there is black s**t caked on the top of my pistons? what does this mean?

its just a build up of carbon on the piston, if ure head gasked actually leaked water in there they woul be pretty clean.

im not sure if its possible to clean them or not i didnt worry about it mine had a but of black stuff on them as well.

wicked, and for the readers out there in canberra, get your metal from metalmart, they gave me a free offcut to extend my breaker bar.

after that it was a piece of piss