I'm contemplating changing the leaky head gasket in my 92 420. I was wondering if some experts could answer a few question?

(1) Do you really have to remove the camshaft from the head like the Haynes manual says?

(2) Can you re-use the head bolts like the Haynes manual says? The guy at the machine shop says to use new ones everytime. Of course he'll probably also suggest a remanufactured head for $700.

Thanks

Well I actually started this last Saturday, and it took me about 8 hours to get it torn down. 7.5 of that was just removing everything I had to. I almost bought the IPD pulley holding tool, until I read the "rope trick" post several times. It's interesting all the help you can get on line nowadays. All of the head bolts are the same size, so I suppose they are okay. I sure hope after all this I got the leak location right.

To remove the head to replace the gasket no cam removal is needed and just line up all the head bolts and look for a stretched one.

If you take the head to a machine shop for surfacing and they hot tank it/dip clean it will destroy the valve stem seals and the hushers and you will have to remove the cam to replace. If you are going to check it yourself you do not need to remove the cam from the head.

Thanks guys:

This doesn't seem to bad. Maybe I'll start this weekend.

Hello,


Please, do not remove the camshaft.

Please, re-use the headbolts unless visually distorted.

Now, attach a wire wheel to your power drill to clean the surface.

Be very sure and steady whilst setting the head onto the block; use driving gloves. Do not mar the casting.

You are a cool dude!


Goatman

Recently R&R'd the HG on my 700. Replaced the bolts for peace of mind. I took the head off and reinstalled it with the cam intact. However, once the head was off I took the cam out to replace the "cushers". Boy did that quiet down the valve train. I also removed and lapped the valves to make sure I had a good seal and install new intake valve seals. While disassembled I sent it to the machine shop to be skimmed just enough to make sure it would seal.

I don't think I needed to do most of this stuff but I would recommend replacing the cushers. They usually come with the gasket set and are very easy to install.

I do not remove the camshaft prior to removing the head.

I reuse headbolts. On one particularly problematic b230f I reused them three times.

Randy

Ihave only pull a head on my '78 and I did not remove the cam. It all came together. It's a little more heavy but no big deal.

I check for flatness to without undoing it. I put it all back the way it came off using the same bolts again.

I think you can do that at least once. Besides they are a proven product. Can't say that about new ones from who knows where?

Phil