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[trebor]

One of head gaskets went this evening, lots of white smoke.  Also split the radiator top hose!

Now need to replace both head gaskets.

How much are head gasket sets?

And what will the most difficult part of the job - will it be the exhaust manifolds?

And I've just done the cambelt too!

[MutantCav]

Easier and quicker to replace the engine...but if you like the engine then head gaskets are about 6 or 7 hours I think???

[JamesV6CDX]

Easier and quicker to replace the engine...

Not sure I agree,

Also, you're better off doing a top end rebuild if the engine is a goodun. you get chance to lap the valves in, replace the exhaust gaskets, and ultimately you will know where you stand with it.

Lift in a replacement engine and you are just adding a whole lot of unkowns.

Edited - to fix quote.

[trebor]

Not sure I want to go down the replacement engine route.

WOuld rather keep the bottom end, and just get the gaskets done.

[Marks DTM Calib]

Not sure I want to go down the replacement engine route.

WOuld rather keep the bottom end, and just get the gaskets done.

A wise move.

Better the devil you know, the engine you have is known to you, a second hand one generally is not!

Its a 10+hour job, not hard, more a series of small jobs.

As for costs:

Cam cover gaskets 60 quid
Head gaskets 25 quid
bolts 15 quid
Exhaust gaskets 30 quid
Misc  - 30 quid
fluids 20 quid

so change from 200 quid.....it would be more but you have a new cambelt kit  

[trebor]

Not sure I want to go down the replacement engine route.

WOuld rather keep the bottom end, and just get the gaskets done.

A wise move.

Better the devil you know, the engine you have is known to you, a second hand one generally is not!

Its a 10+hour job, not hard, more a series of small jobs.

As for costs:

Cam cover gaskets 60 quid
Head gaskets 25 quid
bolts 15 quid
Exhaust gaskets 30 quid
Misc  - 30 quid
fluids 20 quid

so change from 200 quid.....it would be more but you have a new cambelt kit  

Thanks.  Not done a head gasket since a Cortina 2.0!

Anyway will give it a go - got nothing to lose.

Can't believe cam cover gaskets more than head gaskets!

[Andy B]

...........
Thanks.  Not done a head gasket since a Cortina 2.0!
 ........

It'll be nearly the same ...... but 2 of 'em!      

[amba]

Just for info there is a genuine head gasket set (1 side only ) brand new on ebay at moment..just listed , so could save you some £££,s.

[Kevin Wood]

...........
Thanks.  Not done a head gasket since a Cortina 2.0!
 ........

It'll be nearly the same ...... but 2 of 'em!      

.. and 3 times as many valves to lap in.  

Kevin

[mkaminski100]

Mark – where I can buy HG? GM or Elring would be the best.
http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1201688937/0#0
Helpfull?

[Andy B]

.....
.. and 3 times as many valves to lap in.  

Kevin

A few years back I did my Senator's HG (when I could get a car in my garage ) My hands had just recovered from those 24 valve when SWMBO's car's head gasket threw the towel in. Another 16 valve to do!

[Marks DTM Calib]

Mark – where I can buy HG? GM or Elring would be the best.
http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1201688937/0#0
Helpfull?

Email this seller:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VAUXHALL-OMEGA-SINTRA-SAAB-9000-3-0-V6-HEAD-GASKET-SET_W0QQitemZ110133647588QQcmdZViewItem?_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116

They will sell you just the head gaskets (although the stem seals they do are also good) which are Elring (who make the GM ones!).

I use BGA bolts as apposed to the non-branded items due to experiencing breakages!

I re-use the cam seals (pattern items are not even worth fitting and if your careful with the old ones they work very well)

Genuine manifold gaskets and cam cover gaskets.

[mkaminski100]

Thanks Mark.
I wil ask them about gaskets.
I know that Elring is making GM head gaskets   Some GM gaskets have Elring sign on many it’s erased.
I bought last Elring HG for ca £15 for my 2.0 but it takes 2 weeks to get it.
Used GM bolts and Elring stem seals.
What do you think about reusing head bolts? I always buy new set but know many people reusing old GM bolts and say it works fine. I have cleaned and reused connecting rods bolts but force use to tight these cannot be compared to engine head…

[Marks DTM Calib]

Thanks Mark.
I wil ask them about gaskets.
I know that Elring is making GM head gaskets   Some GM gaskets have Elring sign on many it’s erased.
I bought last Elring HG for ca £15 for my 2.0 but it takes 2 weeks to get it.
Used GM bolts and Elring stem seals.
What do you think about reusing head bolts? I always buy new set but know many people reusing old GM bolts and say it works fine. I have cleaned and reused connecting rods bolts but force use to tight these cannot be compared to engine head…

I would never re-use the bolts, they are stretched to the point of yield (normally you can feel them suddenly turn easier on the 3rd 90deg) so re-use will not give the same consistent clamping effect as they will have already been placed in the elastic region by the first fit.

As I said, BGA do good head bolts at a reasonable price and the link provided normaly get headgaskets out to you next day!

[mkaminski100]

Got a reply that they don’t do 4 pots
Funny thing is that head bolts cost ca £1/pc while connecting rod bolts are for £3-4.