What tools are needed for head gasket swap?

superpoop

Registered User
Hey guys.

Before I tear my new motor down I'm wondering what tools are needed for a head gasket swap?

I know the torque wrench, but am wondering whether I would need a valve spring compressor for re fitting the pushrods. I have never done this before obviously, my understanding is the rockers sit over the pushrods and are held in somehow, so my first thought is I will need to either remove the rockers or compress the valve springs.

I would rather know what tools I need and have them in my arsenal rather than have to run out to the shop when I hit a roadblock. I'm almost an hours drive from anywhere that sells the more specialist tools.

Neill
 
Only specialized tools you'll need are a torque wrench as you mentioned and a power steering pump pulley puller. Otherwise a good set of metric sockets, wrenches and assorted extensions/swivels should be more than enough. Thinking on it you'll also need a T-bit (star shaped driver) for the bolts that hold the fuel rails down. I want to say its a T5...been a while since I've done head gaskets.

As for the question on the rockers...they are held onto the heads with 10mm bolts and will compress when you torque them to spec. There is nothing specialized you will be doing to change the valve train.

-Tim
 
Things may get a little dicey when it comes to the exhaust manifolds, depending on how rusty your climate is. Worst case, you may need to Dremel through the lower manifold studs. Little maroon carbide cutting wheels are the perfect thing for that. But if yours aren't too rusty, they may come off okay.

You may also want an O2 sensor socket if you are replacing them (the coolant seems to kill them), though you can get by with a big adjustable wrench in some cases.
 
Things may get a little dicey when it comes to the exhaust manifolds, depending on how rusty your climate is. Worst case, you may need to Dremel through the lower manifold studs. Little maroon carbide cutting wheels are the perfect thing for that. But if yours aren't too rusty, they may come off okay.

You may also want an O2 sensor socket if you are replacing them (the coolant seems to kill them), though you can get by with a big adjustable wrench in some cases.

Thanks for the replies guys!

I am working on an engine that is out of the car, the old motor span a bearing so we are swapping the whole thing out. The motor runs good, however while its out of the car I would rather swap the head gaskets now, it has 125k miles on.

I'll buy a power steering pump puller, I seem to have killed off my power steering so I may need a new pump anyway.

Thanks again.

Neill
 
Autozone "rents" out power steering pulley removers and will give you the deposit back once you return it. I bet other stores do something similar.
 
Autozone "rents" out power steering pulley removers and will give you the deposit back once you return it. I bet other stores do something similar.

We don't have a service like that, I'm in england. Unfortunately I have to buy everything I use. No biggie! I'll use it again I'm sure.

Neill
 
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