I like putting them on with manifolds installed, saves a bunch of semi hard to get at bolts and nuts. Maybe recruit a helper. Mop oil out of head holes, put light oil on the head bolts. No locktite. If you have pooled oil in the bottom of the head bolt holes you can actually crack the block when it doesn't compress.
Bill Cardell TurboDog's Dad www.flyinmiata.com www.fmwestfield.com orders 1-800-FLY-MX5S tech support 970-464-5600 Don't miss Flyin' Miata's Open House! Aug 14-17, 2008 -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Brad Franks Sent: Sunday, May 18, 2008 12:29 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: Head Gasket Help/Advice needed (resolved, more questions) Thanks Bill! I tried what you suggested with no luck, but a modified idea worked. I was able to "walk" it out with a large pair of needle nose pliers, one nose in the pin, the other grabbing to the outside edge of the head. Taking a sanity break for the next few minutes before placing the new head on. Some questions: Do I put the coil/bracket on the head before getting it on the block because of the impossible bolt? Same about the intake manifold? Doing this solo, so thinking without the intake will be better balance to safely manage the bulky head in place? Maybe with the intake there will be something to hold on to? Technically the metal head gasket only goes on one way. Just want to be sure I have it right though - the three corner water passages all line up properly, the oil feed (looks like a carb jet?) on the intake side between #2 and #3 is open and the embossments on the gasket are lumpy side up. Correct? Remember, some of the head bolts were wet when pulled. Looks like a little oil in three of the bolt holes. I presume they should be dry before reinstalling? Keiths book doesn't mention it, are the torque specs for the head bolts wet or dry? Threadlock them? Bill Cardell wrote: > How about the new head, any sunk in there? If not, maybe rough up or > grind the outside of a needle nose plier and expand it inside the > dowel to wiggle it out. That has worked for me. > > > _______________________________________________ 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
