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[YZ250]

And do I need new head bolts?

Yes you should renew the head bolts

[2woody]

why not just replace the cam pulleys and fit a new belt and try it as it is ...?

you could at least run it enough to be able to do a compression test to see what sort of condition the valves are all in.

it would be a shame to pull the heads off and then find the valves are not bent.

[Liam]

Oh yeah! That had occured to me earlier when I was still thinking I'd break/scrap it if it was knackered, so I concluded it wasn't worth the time/money given the high chance it is knackered. But of course - now I intend to fix it anyway, I've got nothing to loose trying this first and it could save me a load of work. Very slim chance I think though! Thanks for reminding me.

One question - someone kindly linked to an ebay item of a head gasket set with pretty much all the gaskets and seals I'd ever want - including inlet and cam covers. Made by Elring. Looks good but I'm a little wary of ebay stuff. Is this a job where genuine parts are critical? Any idea of the price of genuine? If memory serves the latest cam cover gaskets I got from Autovaux were Elring and they didn't last long at all.

Seems like I can't find a locking kit for love nor money which might throw a spanner in the works. Anyone got any ideas? Friendly main dealer? Ha ha haaa.

Liam

[Elite Pete]

Liam, this the the seller on Ebay you should be buying your head gaskets and bolts off. The cam cover gaskets, exhaust manifold gaskets, dowty washers ect should come from Vauxhall

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VAUXHALL-CALIBRA-2-5-V6-C25XE-HEAD-GASKET-SET-/180405846177?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item2a0106c0a1

[Liam]

So would you say buy this...

Head gasket kit

And not use the cam cover and exhaust manifold gaskets, or phone and see if they can supply just the head gaskets and bolts. Or is that set worth it for all those inlet seals (although I've delved down that far before for various jobs and not replaced those and had no problems).

Liam

[Jimbob]

So would you say buy this...

Head gasket kit

And not use the cam cover and exhaust manifold gaskets, or phone and see if they can supply just the head gaskets and bolts. Or is that set worth it for all those inlet seals (although I've delved down that far before for various jobs and not replaced those and had no problems).

Liam

Ring up that supplier, Trecchi are very helpful, and it will be cheaper to just get him to supply the bits you need 

[2woody]

Elring are good - they're perhaps the only gasket mfg I'd ask for out of choice

[Liam]

OK got my cambelt kit and locking tool should arrive from autovaux tomorrow. Will get a compression test done on the motor as is in the slim chance god moved my valves out the way . Slim chance? more like fat chance. So then it'll be head swap time - woo hoo!

[Andy H]

why not just replace the cam pulleys and fit a new belt and try it as it is ...?

you could at least run it enough to be able to do a compression test to see what sort of condition the valves are all in.

it would be a shame to pull the heads off and then find the valves are not bent.

I seem to remember the cams having very shallow tapers which engage with the ends of the camshafts and a peg that locates in a slot in the end of the sprocket/taper.

If the sprocket has been loose enough to run out of line I think it may have chewed up the tapers (in both cam and sprocket) such that it would not be safe to re-use either. If the sprocket was then forcibly stopped it has probably sheared off the locating peg.

By all means get a pair of sprockets it on it to check the compression but I wouldn't be confident that the taper in the end of the cam was re-usable long term :-/

[2woody]

I've had just this on an engine before when the dowel snapped. with a change of pulleys and a new dowel all was well again. Indeed, it's still running over 30,000 miles later with no ill effects.

[Liam]

I'll see tonight . Hoping the cam is OK. If I'm not mistaken the pulley is aluminium whilst the camshaft is hard steel, so hopefully the pulley couldn't damage the shaft. We'll see.

[Liam]

Compression test done!  Well... could be worse Seems like I got away with it on the passenger side head as I get a nice even 200+ PSI on all three. Driver's side has one good, middle cylinder has nothing at all, and rear is down at about 160 PSI. Hmmm - I hope that last result represents a very slightly bent valve only just not seating rather than something wrong with the rings on that cylinder???

So looks like I might be OK changing just the one head - looks a bit easier to get that one off/back on too. Anyone see anything wrong with that plan?

Pulley 4 looks a bit of a mess inside - the hole for the dowel pin very elongated. Pin looks fine and the camshaft itelf is marked on the end surface but is hopefully OK. A good pulley goes on and tightens down firmly and squarely. I'd be happier with a replacement shaft but fat chance of that probably.

Liam

[Martin_1962]

One thing I would say.

It is easier to get the drivers side head off after the passenger side.

You NEED an 8mm rachet spanner for the main coolant pipe to clear the drivers side exhaust.