So I got started on my 242 project, my 84 with a blown headgasket. Started tearing down the top end, but decided to quit when I began to get snow in the engine. Honestly I was more concerned about getting my tools rusty on what's really a "non-essential" project, but it was cold, and wet, and I'm on night shifts now so I packed it up before actually pulling the head.

I did get all the accessories, the fan, shroud, and hoses out of the way. Got the valve cover, timing cover, and intake nuts and bolts off. Even got the exhaust off! 4 studs came out, 4 nuts came off. Par for the course, but nothing broken, thankfully. The plugs even came out without anything weird happening. So far so good.

Tomorrow, if it's even half decent, I should get the head off the engine and hopefully to a machine shop. Along the way, stop at FCP and buy a headgasket kit. It's not a Turbo- is the consensus still that I oughta junk the gasket in the kit and use a Felpro? The head is going to be machined, and I am assuming at this point that it's saveable. If not I guess I will be looking for a head. Hopefully nothing worse than that- I noticed #2 exhaust port is quite black compared to the others. Who knows what went on when she fried it. Only about a quart of rusty coolant drained out.

There were a couple more nice discoveries along the way- I found out the car has stainless brake hoses, and LOWER strut bars too! Never seen them in person. Also, there's a 3-core heavy-duty IPD radiator (lousy paint, guys) and a trailer-towin' transmission oil cooler fitted. All on a car with the stock B23F and AW70. Interesting combination. Probably makes for a killer autocross car. My wife may be racing you guys in the gravel, next Vermont show -!
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Rob Bareiss, New London CT ::: '87 244DL/M47- 234K, '82 245T/M46-182K, '84 242DL/AW70-100K, '89 244DL/AW70- 212K and I miss my: 86 244DL 215K, 87 244DL 239K, 88 744GLE 233K, 88 244GL 147K, 91 244 183K