Hi Folks, I've started the head gasket replacement on my 1992 240 wagon and I've got a few questions.

I've got the radiator fan, fan housing, timing belt cover, timing belt, crank pulley, cam pulley, timing belt tensioner, exhaust manifold, and valve cover all removed. Not too bad so far.

Here's my questions.

1. I removed the crank pulley engine seal since it was original to the car. I tried putting in a new one and couldn't get it in flush with the housing and I ended up mangling the thing. Can you guys tell me the proper way to get the new seal into place without destroying it? Thanks!!!!

2. Is it necessary to remove the cam shaft when taking the head to a machine shop? I'm getting the head checked for level and resurfaced if necessary as well as pressure testing it. I've heard that leaving the camshaft in place might "warp" the head and make the surface untrue? I've also heard that leaving the cam in place might cause a valve to get bent? But isn't this a non-interference engine anyway, so isn't it impossible for the valves to get bent?

3. Looks like my water pump is weeping around the hole on the bottom of the shaft, so I will need to get a new one. What brand of water pump do you folks recommend? The one I've got on there is HEPU and it didn't last very long at all.

4. When I took off the valve cover the top of the head and camshaft were basically this really interesting golden orange color. Pretty neat looking. Is this normal?

Thanks for all the help.

Tom