Eric,
I fully agree with Mike, it is quite a pain to do especially with the
engine still in the car, but none the less doable. The one thing that
I would add to Eric's list is to make sure to get NEW Head bolts
as well. FelPro should list them with the gasket set numbers. The
Head bolts used in the Q4 are a stretch bolt and should not under
any circumstances be used again!!! I just did the Q4 head gasket
on my recently acquired HO Q4 powered A/Prepared Fiero
because the company that built the engine reused the head bolts
which caused the head gasket to let go again very shortly afterward.
The other thing I might add also is to make sure to get a very good
shop manual, a factory manual will be the most expensive, but will
have info the would take two or three aftermarket books to get it
all covered. One more thing you may want to check before finalizing
the deal on the purchase, make sure that when the car was parked
that no water/coolant was left in the cylinders. It could be a rusted up
mess that would require a full engine rebuild including new pistons,
rings & block bored.
Greg Duncan
Other half of Team Python
84 A/Prepared Fiero Q4
88 E/Mod Fiero 4.9L V8
> ------------------------------
> Date: Sat, 10 Mar 2001 13:37:33 -0600
> From: "Mike Taylor" <miket@interaccess.com>
> Subject: Re: Quad 4 headgasket
>
> Eric,
>
> it is a pain but can be done yourself of you have average mechanical
skills.
> The key is to get a good headgasket. The one from GM is junk compared to
> the FelPro gasket. About the only special tools is a torque angle meter
to
> properly torque the head bolts, and a harmonic balancer puller. It took
me
> about 15 hours (using hand tools) the when I did one on my car.
>
> Here is a quick outline:
> 1) remove Exhaust manifold, intake manifold & fuel injectors
> 2) Take off accessory belt & pull harmonic balancer & cover to the timing
> chain housing & PS belt
> 4) Remove timing chain & cam sprockets
> 5) Remove timing chain housing
> 6) Remove IDI (Integrated Direct Ignition) System. It looks like a valve
> cover on top of the engine
> 7) Remove the 2 cam housings & cams
> 8) Remove Head
>
> While you have it apart you may as well replace the water pump. It is easy
> when doing a head gasket change but a pain to do by itself. Make sure you
> put the Cam Housing to Timing Chain Housing gaskets in correctly or they
> will leak. Figure $100 to $200 for a FelPro gasket kit.
>
> Hope this helps..
>
> Mike Taylor
> DSP '88 Grand Am, Quad 4
>
>
> - ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Eric Linnhoff" <eric10mm@qni.com>
> To: "autox list" <autox@autox.team.net>
> Sent: Saturday, March 10, 2001 12:36 AM
> Subject: Quad 4 headgasket
>
>
> > So I've got a co-worker who wants to sell me a well used Olds Calais
with
> > the Quad 4 engine in it. 190K on the odometer and he says a blown
> > headgasket, it's been sitting since last November. But the price is
right.
> >
> > Are these headgaskets any harder to replace than most other engines? Any
> > tricks to make it easier?
> >
> > As usual, thanks in advance folks.
> >
> > Eric Linnhoff in KC
> > #69 STS TLS #13
> > '98 Neon R/T (4 door)
> > <eric10mm@qni.com>
> > ICQ# 101282513
>
> ------------------------------
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