Reworking Head

[trance42]

I want to take the head off my motor. i want to put a new head gasket valve seals and orings for camshafts.

This is teh first time i am attempting to work on internals.

What tools will i need. The book calls for special volvo tools.

Can anyone give me advice on how to go about doing what i want to do?

[pfeener]

You can get by without any special tools. Do a search and you'll get all kinds of info.

[7 VII 7]

I second this post. I would love to know how. I am told I have a small head gasket leak... but I have no oil in the coolant AT ALL... but I refuse to give the shop $1500 to do my seals.

[laird]

Buy a Haynes manual. READ the manual. Take your time. You will need some basic mechanics tools including a good torque wrench and an "angle gauge" ($10 auto zone)

Begin with step 1, "Cylinder Head Removal" (ignore removing the radiator fan) I usually leave the exhaust manifold and turbo on the head until the head is off.

Follow through with all the steps including how to make your own special tools ( can be done without but tools are easy to fab.) Take your time.

This seems to be a very intimidating job but in reality is no big deal. You will want to use a very reputable machine shop to do you cylinder head (valve job). Don't skimp here, plan on close to $300 for a good multi angle job on a 20 valve head. For $600-700 you could likely get the head flow bench ported and that would be money well spent, a multiplier, if you will, for every other engine mod you do.

Plan on a week or two of down time (if you have a day job that is) and enjoy.

It took me about 4 hours to get the head off, pull the oil pan and remove the pistons (new rings, why not?). I am doing this (again) because I did not choose a machine shop wisely.

Take your time.