Date: Thu, 9 May 2013 22:54:02 -0400
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: coolant overflow fears and thoughts
In-Reply-To: <518C190E.6090606@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
In order to re-torque the heads you need to remove the rocker arms and the
intake manifolds. Simply tightening them may help but since thre is a sealer
used on the face you won't get the best results. Also due to the length of
the studs some twisting will occur while tightening. A "clicker" torque
wrench is not the best tool. Use either a beam or even better a dial
indicator type wrench. 41 ft lbs. is the later spec. Keep in mind that if
they are loose either they were not installed properly or the studs are
stretching. If a stub breaks you are "down" so if this is your only vehicle
be prepared for it going out of service. A broken stud will mean head and
cylinder removal. If a stud breaks close to the case you are looking at a
full teardown and a visit to a machine shop. If really close you may be
looking for an engine. Done that twice.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Tom Carchrae
Sent: Thursday, May 9, 2013 5:46 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: coolant overflow fears and thoughts
Thanks Dennis!
Perhaps I should find another shop. I'm not sure where that number came
from, but good to know it seems high. I'd rather do what work I can on it,
aside from the cost, getting to/from the mechanic is not easy - especially
if stranded on a trip.
To re-torque the heads, I presume that is as simple as to remove the valve
covers and tighten? I can probably borrow a torque wrench - I presume that
is how I'd check they were loose.
http://www.benplace.com/head.htm recommends 55NM (book says 50NM - 37 ft lb)
This sounds like an easy first stop before diving deeper.
And thanks for the tips on the exhaust. The bolts didn't look too bad last
summer, no doubt replacing the bolts will save me grief later on as well.
Tom
On 13-05-09 02:36 PM, Dennis Haynes wrote:
> What is the $1,500 price based on? Book is 11 hours for both sides.
> Hardest part is usually the exhaust. I use bolts at all the exhaust to
> head connections. That way if only one head needs to be pulled the
> exhaust can stay in place. That way if a new gasket fails (which the
> outers sometimes
> do) I can easily pull the one head and get it back tighter in a few hours.
>
> Dennis
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
> Behalf Of Tom Carchrae
> Sent: Thursday, May 09, 2013 1:57 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: coolant overflow fears and thoughts
>
> Thanks Stuart. I know it... I just called a local shop and they said
> it would be around 1500 to do the head gasket job, and another 500 per
> head if they need replacing. Sigh.
>
> Tom
>
> On 13-05-09 10:31 AM, Stuart MacMillan wrote:
>> Face it, it's already bad. Procrastination could leave you with
>> nothing to rebuild or even use as a core to trade in. Park it or fix
>> it, those are your only good choices. BTDT.
>>
>> Good luck!
>>
>> Stuart
>> '85 Westy
>>