[Shotimes] OT-94 Sable 3.8l head gasket replacement

[John Phillis]

correct me if I am wrong here, because it has been a while since I worked 
for the stealership as a tech, but when I was there, it was during the peak 
of two major Ford flubs, #1 the 3.8L headgasket recall, #2 the firestone VD 
recall.

now, having a few "artifacts" (that's what we will call them, because 
embezelment is such a negative term) that I recovered after taking the 
involuntary lay-off that everyone took when they locked the doors, I still 
have a few recall sheets.
and it was NOT the headgaskets themselves that were recalled, but the TORQUE 
SPECS were wrong, and all the mexicans were not tightening the heads done 
correctly.
so, whatever the book says, in teh torque sequence, add another 90 degrees.
I think it is torque to 35, 55, 75, then loosen bolts one at a time, and 
then retorque to 75(65) can't remember offhand, and then an additional 90 
degrees.  well, add 90, so make it 180 degrees.... and that shodl fix 
that...

now as far as why you have to loosen them, and also another VERY important 
thing here.

you HAVE to buy new headbolts if they don't come with the headset. you HAVE 
to.  I don't care what anyone says, ABSOLUTELY.
why? because headbolts stretch out, hence the loosening retorquing thing.
see, what you do, is you loosen the headbolts after straining them some, 
then, you go to town on tehm, and they are less likely to stretch out and 
not hold the torque.

we put a torque wrench on one jus tfor fun one time,a dnwe dialed it up to 
meet the final torque spec.  you tighten it to 65(75) then 180 degrees past 
that...  it came out to well over 145 ft/lbs, which was the limit of the 
torque wrench.

so they are tight no doubt.

buy new headbolts.




From: "John Hamilton" <hamssho@nexicom.net>
To: "V8sho" <v8sho@v8sho.com>
CC: <Shotimes@autox.team.net>, <oshoctimes.com@topica.com>
Subject: [Shotimes] OT-94 Sable 3.8l head gasket replacement
Date: Thu, 6 Feb 2003 08:37:42 -0500

Replacing a friends head gasket this weekend on his '94 Sable 3.8l.
Dealership pressure tested and they say it's toast.

So for anyone who's in the know, I have a few of questions;

1/ What is the proper way to check the head flatness when removed? I
have a layout table and all the goods required. Just wondering about
reference points when the head is inverted. Or do I just get them milled
and not bother checking?

2/ I pulled Ford TSB 98-4-9 for the head gasket replacement. During
re-assembly it states to do a full torque of all bolts by three
increments following proper bolt sequence. No problem. It then states a
complete back-off and one step re-torque of each bolt individually
starting with long bolts (centre) and following sequence. That's the
part in question, kinda goes against my limited knowledge of gaskets. In
my field, the practice of re-torquing gaskets is generally not
desirable. Is this the norm for head gaskets?

3/ Finally, any tips in general wrt this procedure and/or for this
particular motor?  E.g. is it advisable to use a gasket prep?

Much thanks in advance.

John Hamilton
Ida,ON,CA

'97 ES
'91 Mocha/Mocha
'89 S10 Blazer 2WD
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