90 Q Head Damage - A Novel

[brownq45]

Sorry about the small novel here but I recently bought a 90 Q from the original owner. The engine died and was the owner's final straw on repairs. I was going to part out what I needed and sell the rest over time. After reviewing all the receipts I find the A/C was converted to R134 last year. Bushings and arms in the front, drive shaft, new tires all done in the last three years. Body and interior are clean and in nice shape. With the starter, the engine sounds like the timing chain/guides have gone south even though the guides, chains, water pump etc. were replaced several years back at a cost of $1,900. I hate to part out nice machinery when I can do the repairs so I'm thinking about this being my winter project. Questions for the forum: I have rebuilt a number of interference engines over the years. With the engines whose belts or chains failed during startup or idle, I was able to salvage the engine with just valve work. Those running at speed all were trash. This Q engine failed during start up. Have you found only valve damage to be the case when the Q engines failed at idle? If I go for repair have you found the heads can come off while the engine is in the car or am I better off to pull the it and work from a stand? I do have the equipment to handle it but just want to stay as simple as practical. Thanks in advance.

[elwesso]

I would say that you might as well pull the motor, some of that stuff is nearly impossible to get out...

[maxnix]

I would say that you might as well pull the motor, some of that stuff is nearly impossible to get out...

Yeah, and use the ENTER key once in a while also!

More stress is on the timing chain at starting crank than at constant or even accelerating rpm.