Removing heads from a motor in the car?

[91Z32TT]

Hey guys.. I think to combat the blown HG issue, I may attempt to replace the gasket instead of the entire motor, hoping the bottom end is alright. Now is there a write up or anything for removing the heads? I plan on having a buddy's shop thoroughly inspect the heads for any damage or warping.

[Rex]

Hey guys.. I think to combat the blown HG issue, I may attempt to replace the gasket instead of the entire motor, hoping the bottom end is alright. Now is there a write up or anything for removing the heads? I plan on having a buddy's shop thoroughly inspect the heads for any damage or warping.

Is this question in regards to a Q45? If so which model? These pieces of information will be very helpful in getting you the right help.

[91Z32TT]

Well being that this IS a q45 forum

Yes, it's a '94 q45a.

[BlackBirdVQ]

I've done the job, and I can tell you pulling the engine will save you ALOT of time. I work at a car dealership and my work space is very limited as far as putting togheter a engine for my own car + I do not want anyone poking around my engine while I am not there = why I did my head gaskets without pulling the motor.

If you want E-mail me and I will tell ya how to do the job, its not very bad..... I think the most time-consuming part of the whole job is removing and installing the exhaust manifolds.

Here are links to the threads on my engine rebuild...zerothread?id=139308http://q45.spilky.c ... ?id=166589

Enjoy the read, and make sure to bring pockets full of $$$.

[Q45tech]

Never seen a Q with a bad head gasket that wasn't overheated and that means a lot more serious work than the 25 hours to replace the gasket. If you desire to meet OEM specs afterwards.

Just avoiding the personal back damage is reason enough to pull the engine.

[maxnix]

Never seen a Q with a bad head gasket that wasn't overheated and that means a lot more serious work than the 25 hours to replace the gasket. If you desire to meet OEM specs afterwards.

Just avoiding the personal back damage is reason enough to pull the engine.

Now there are two relevant points! Sometimes it is best to see how the people that make their living do it.

But as Oscar Wilde once said, "Youth is wasted on the young."

[mcrews]

Well being that this IS a q45 forum

Yes, it's a '94 q45a.

Yes, that's very observant on you part. But thank god your not my mechanic. you see my q45 has a very different engine than yours.Oh I'm sorry...did I fail to mention mine is a 2002.If you want good respones specific to your question then you need to provide specific information

good luckmark

[BlackBirdVQ]

Never seen a Q with a bad head gasket that wasn't overheated and that means a lot more serious work than the 25 hours to replace the gasket. If you desire to meet OEM specs afterwards.

Just avoiding the personal back damage is reason enough to pull the engine.

I will second the BACK ache issue ! Every time I worked on the Q durring my head gasket project, I would come home and pass out after having 2-3 Heinekens. One nite I went out to a bar with some friends and passed out on a lounge chair right after getting out of work- working on my Q for 4 hours.

My head gaskets where not blown, it was the heads that warped from severe overheating. I blew a few thousand mile old radiator after I bought the car because of so much pressure being built up in the cooling system. My machine shop was able to bring the heads back to OEM specs for 500 dollars, and that included a valve job, new valve seals I provided them, checking for cracks, hot tanking the heads and throught cleaning- as you can see in the pics I posted in the threads. I had fun doing this.... but I won't ever do it again. Car runs like a champ and I am very happy with the overall outcome.