Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: trebor on 25 June 2008, 23:02:26

Title: Head gaskets - difficult job?
Post by: trebor on 25 June 2008, 23:02:26
One of head gaskets went this evening, lots of white smoke.  Also split the radiator top hose!

Now need to replace both head gaskets.

How much are head gasket sets?

And what will the most difficult part of the job - will it be the exhaust manifolds?

And I've just done the cambelt too!
Title: Re: Head gaskets - difficult job?
Post by: MutantCav on 25 June 2008, 23:13:58
Easier and quicker to replace the engine...but if you like the engine then head gaskets are about 6 or 7 hours I think???
Title: Re: Head gaskets - difficult job?
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 25 June 2008, 23:16:33
Quote
Easier and quicker to replace the engine...

Not sure I agree,

Also, you're better off doing a top end rebuild if the engine is a goodun. you get chance to lap the valves in, replace the exhaust gaskets, and ultimately you will know where you stand with it.

Lift in a replacement engine and you are just adding a whole lot of unkowns.

Edited - to fix quote.
Title: Re: Head gaskets - difficult job?
Post by: trebor on 25 June 2008, 23:24:58
Not sure I want to go down the replacement engine route.

WOuld rather keep the bottom end, and just get the gaskets done.

Title: Re: Head gaskets - difficult job?
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 26 June 2008, 08:16:56
Quote
Not sure I want to go down the replacement engine route.

WOuld rather keep the bottom end, and just get the gaskets done.


A wise move.

Better the devil you know, the engine you have is known to you, a second hand one generally is not!

Its a 10+hour job, not hard, more a series of small jobs.

As for costs:

Cam cover gaskets 60 quid
Head gaskets 25 quid
bolts 15 quid
Exhaust gaskets 30 quid
Misc  - 30 quid
fluids 20 quid

so change from 200 quid.....it would be more but you have a new cambelt kit  :y
Title: Re: Head gaskets - difficult job?
Post by: trebor on 26 June 2008, 08:52:04
Quote
Quote
Not sure I want to go down the replacement engine route.

WOuld rather keep the bottom end, and just get the gaskets done.


A wise move.

Better the devil you know, the engine you have is known to you, a second hand one generally is not!

Its a 10+hour job, not hard, more a series of small jobs.

As for costs:

Cam cover gaskets 60 quid
Head gaskets 25 quid
bolts 15 quid
Exhaust gaskets 30 quid
Misc  - 30 quid
fluids 20 quid

so change from 200 quid.....it would be more but you have a new cambelt kit  :y

Thanks.  Not done a head gasket since a Cortina 2.0!

Anyway will give it a go - got nothing to lose.

Can't believe cam cover gaskets more than head gaskets!

Title: Re: Head gaskets - difficult job?
Post by: Andy B on 26 June 2008, 08:59:23
Quote
...........
Thanks.  Not done a head gasket since a Cortina 2.0!
 ........

It'll be nearly the same ...... but 2 of 'em!  ;D  ;D  ;D


Title: Re: Head gaskets - difficult job?
Post by: amba on 26 June 2008, 09:51:40
Just for info there is a genuine head gasket set (1 side only ) brand new on ebay at moment..just listed , so could save you some £££,s.
Title: Re: Head gaskets - difficult job?
Post by: Kevin Wood on 26 June 2008, 10:29:59
Quote
Quote
...........
Thanks.  Not done a head gasket since a Cortina 2.0!
 ........

It'll be nearly the same ...... but 2 of 'em!  ;D  ;D  ;D



.. and 3 times as many valves to lap in.  >:(

Kevin
Title: Re: Head gaskets - difficult job?
Post by: mkaminski100 on 26 June 2008, 11:35:50
Mark – where I can buy HG? GM or Elring would be the best.
http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1201688937/0#0
Helpfull?
Title: Re: Head gaskets - difficult job?
Post by: Andy B on 26 June 2008, 11:46:18
Quote
.....
.. and 3 times as many valves to lap in.  >:(

Kevin

A few years back I did my Senator's HG (when I could get a car in my garage :-[) My hands had just recovered from those 24 valve when SWMBO's car's head gasket threw the towel in. Another 16 valve to do! :(
Title: Re: Head gaskets - difficult job?
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 26 June 2008, 12:18:57
Quote
Mark – where I can buy HG? GM or Elring would be the best.
http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1201688937/0#0
Helpfull?

Email this seller:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VAUXHALL-OMEGA-SINTRA-SAAB-9000-3-0-V6-HEAD-GASKET-SET_W0QQitemZ110133647588QQcmdZViewItem?_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116

They will sell you just the head gaskets (although the stem seals they do are also good) which are Elring (who make the GM ones!).

I use BGA bolts as apposed to the non-branded items due to experiencing breakages!

I re-use the cam seals (pattern items are not even worth fitting and if your careful with the old ones they work very well)

Genuine manifold gaskets and cam cover gaskets.


Title: Re: Head gaskets - difficult job?
Post by: mkaminski100 on 26 June 2008, 12:35:37
Thanks Mark.
I wil ask them about gaskets.
I know that Elring is making GM head gaskets  :) Some GM gaskets have Elring sign on many it’s erased.
I bought last Elring HG for ca £15 for my 2.0 but it takes 2 weeks to get it.
Used GM bolts and Elring stem seals.
What do you think about reusing head bolts? I always buy new set but know many people reusing old GM bolts and say it works fine. I have cleaned and reused connecting rods bolts but force use to tight these cannot be compared to engine head…
Title: Re: Head gaskets - difficult job?
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 26 June 2008, 15:46:41
Quote
Thanks Mark.
I wil ask them about gaskets.
I know that Elring is making GM head gaskets  :) Some GM gaskets have Elring sign on many it’s erased.
I bought last Elring HG for ca £15 for my 2.0 but it takes 2 weeks to get it.
Used GM bolts and Elring stem seals.
What do you think about reusing head bolts? I always buy new set but know many people reusing old GM bolts and say it works fine. I have cleaned and reused connecting rods bolts but force use to tight these cannot be compared to engine head…


I would never re-use the bolts, they are stretched to the point of yield (normally you can feel them suddenly turn easier on the 3rd 90deg) so re-use will not give the same consistent clamping effect as they will have already been placed in the elastic region by the first fit.

As I said, BGA do good head bolts at a reasonable price and the link provided normaly get headgaskets out to you next day!
Title: Re: Head gaskets - difficult job?
Post by: mkaminski100 on 26 June 2008, 15:54:17
Got a reply that they don’t do 4 pots
Funny thing is that head bolts cost ca £1/pc while connecting rod bolts are for £3-4.
Title: Re: Head gaskets - difficult job?
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 26 June 2008, 16:06:39
Quote
Got a reply that they don’t do 4 pots
Funny thing is that head bolts cost ca £1/pc while connecting rod bolts are for £3-4.

Sorry, though it was V6 gaskets you were after!  :-[

On the bolts, the aftermarket will not be using many conrod bolts, headbolts will be in huge numbers so hence why I suspect the price difference!

4 pot head gaskets I just buy genuine as they are not to expensive
Title: Re: Head gaskets - difficult job?
Post by: mkaminski100 on 26 June 2008, 16:21:04
Quote
Quote
Got a reply that they don’t do 4 pots
Funny thing is that head bolts cost ca £1/pc while connecting rod bolts are for £3-4.

Sorry, though it was V6 gaskets you were after!  :-[

On the bolts, the aftermarket will not be using many conrod bolts, headbolts will be in huge numbers so hence why I suspect the price difference!

4 pot head gaskets I just buy genuine as they are not to expensive
Oh, you forgot that I have midget engine which is causing more problems than V6 ;)
I have TC card now so will ask about GM stuff.
Can you please give me some details about BGA - havent heard about them, been using Elring.
Funny thing about coneecting rods bolts is that you wont get then enywhere else than Vx dealer...
Thanks once again and sorry for nicking this topic ;)
Title: Re: Head gaskets - difficult job?
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 26 June 2008, 16:35:29
lol, cant find the supplier I used to use for head bolts on ebay....

These guys sell them though:

http://www.cylinderheadsdirect.co.uk/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_VAUXHALL_petrol_cylinder_head_bolt_kits__132.html