Headgasket R&R

[Redlined]

Went to the local stealership, they said they wanted $1200 to do a headgasket Remove & replace.... $1200... i could buy another legecy for $1200. (maybe not the best in the world but thier out there)

So. Im thinking about breaking down, rolling up the shirtsleeves and doing it myself. (I may be mechanically inclined. but it doesnt mean im inclined to be mechanical).

Is it a weekend doable job for someone that hasnt done a legacy head replacement?

On my '90 N/A with 4EAT would I have to pull the entire engine to do the headgaskets? At that point i think id rather just slip in another engine as this one has some issues.

Thanks in advance.

[Redlined]

found a couple other threads on headgasket replacement and im getting mixed signals about weather or not the engine should remain in the car.

One thing I noted was a suggestion to replace the rings etc while the engine is out of the car... If I did that (replaced the rings) shouldnt the block be taken to a machine shop to have the top ridges reamed and the bores hones?

Mostly just curious.
Thanks again.

[sammydafish]

that's because you went to the stealership. They don't want to work on your old car. Go to a regular shop, the job will likely come in around $400 - $600 depending on what you actualy need.

You can do a head job with the engine in the car, I've done it a few times. If you're doing both heads though, it's probably easier to pull the engine. If you only have one side that's blown, just do that side. You don't have some crazy high horsepower machine, so the mild difference in compression per each side that may result (if you need to deck the head) won't matter.

[sammydafish]

oh, and don't re-ring the engine. You'll be putting more money into it than it's worth. If you think the rings are bad, just get another used engine, it'll be WAY cheaper.

[drftsub]

Most shops will charge in the area of 1k by the time you are done doing headgaskets if you do it right (pressure check the heads, valve etc , surface them ) parts etc plus labor.

You can do it in the car or out, kinda depends on personal preference. Some tech's dont want to pull the block and deal w the trans and stabbing the cluch so they leave it in.

No matter which way you do it , the same parts have to come off, although the single cam heads are very easy to get off with the block in the car. but a little more difficult to torque etc on the way back in.

My personal preference is to do them in the car, but thats on a lift, on the ground I may pull it depending on how much leaning over and laying down I wanted to do.

[sammydafish]

Most shops will charge in the area of 1k by the time you are done doing headgaskets if you do it right (pressure check the heads, valve etc , surface them ) parts etc plus labor.

that's rebuilding the heads. No need to do that if all that's bad is the gasket. Granted, if you wanted to, it's a good oppertunity, but is in no means required unless you find something else wrong.

[drftsub]

not rebuilding, just thorughly checking them. Granted, you could just yank them off, and throw them back on with new gaskets. BUT , its alot of damn work to do all that then find out you have an issue, or the heads warped or something.
rebuilding (the heads) is a whole different issue, most shops though will go through this testing process unless you specifically ask them not to at which time ( at least if it were my shop ) you would have to sign something stating you declined it , and if there were any issues pertaining to a warped head, bad valve etc you would not hold them liable.

again, not that you HAVE to do those things, but why not ? you spent the time getting there, its really not that much to have the heads cleaned, pressure checked, surfaced ( IE usaully about 125 ish ) to have piece of mind and clean parts to put back on.

just my opinion fwiw ..