Hi Brad, Typically it's much easier to pull the fuel hoses where they meet the metal lines on the frame rail. If the insulators don't look good you should replace or you will be fighting air leaks.
Bill Cardell TurboDog's Dad www.flyinmiata.com 1-800-FLY-MX5S (sales) 970-464-5600 (tech) 2008 FM Open House: August 14-17 -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Brad Franks Sent: Thursday, May 15, 2008 3:45 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Head Gasket - the story so far, with a few questions. For those living vicariously through me, here's an update. For those not, go ahead and delete, I don't mind. Well, got under way this morning around 10 am. I've got everything off the head at this point and was about to crack the cam cover when I remembered that I don't have a 12mm 12 point socket. Off to Napa to get one. I had to remove the Rod Millen 4-2-1 header, it was interfering with the steering column before it would clear the studs. Proved telling - the #3 runner is saturated with oil, the other three are bone dry, all four are sooty and crappy caked as hell. I remember now why/when I started burning oil - it was the NOS... an 80HP 4 port wet system that I haven't even used in about 5 years. Now I am kicking myself for how I installed it - all four nozzles are right in the way of the lower bolts/studs. I pulled the fuel system before I pulled the intake manifold. Was this a good idea? Could I have pulled it completely assembled? The big sticking point for me was that I couldn't get the fuel lines to let go of the fuel rail. I think I bunked one of the injector seals in the process - actually I believe it's the insulator - the hard knobby plastic piece with a rubber liner that interfaces between the injector and manifold. OK to reuse or do I replace? I've been taking some photos along the way. My plan is to pull the head this afternoon and call it a day. Unfortunately my package of supplies from FM won't be here until tomorrow afternoon. In the mean time I'll straigh edge the head coming off. I checked the spare head I had last night (and cleaned it up a little). It's flat as a nail no matter which way I measure it. Thanks for listening! Inexperience puts me a little on the nervous side - slow and steady wins the race though. It's a comfort knowing there are people on the list who will help where they can - gives me some peace of mind. Thanks! Brad _______________________________________________ Miatapower mailing list [email protected] http://list.miatapower.net/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/miatapower _______________________________________________ Miatapower mailing list [email protected] http://list.miatapower.net/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/miatapower
