Head gasket, DIY???

[aka1004]

I think I found the source of my oil leak. As I suspected, it was the forward head cover gasket. I would get a small puff of smoke thru cougar head here and there when oil hit the forward header.

The question is, that is just a cover and I would not be removing any other moving part of engine, right?
I think I can handle it if when that cover is removed, valves would be exposed but I would not have to fumble with them.

 

[boborgera]

I think I found the source of my oil leak. As I suspected, it was the forward head cover gasket. I would get a small puff of smoke thru cougar head here and there when oil hit the forward header.

The question is, that is just a cover and I would not be removing any other moving part of engine, right?
I think I can handle it if when that cover is removed, valves would be exposed but I would not have to fumble with them.

It's just a cover, Make sure you have new gaskets on hand , And be very meticulous in removing the old gaskets. Also cross tighten the bolts holding the cover.

 

[CyncySpyder]

Looks familiar

 

[jerpinoy]

I think I found the source of my oil leak. As I suspected, it was the forward head cover gasket. I would get a small puff of smoke thru cougar head here and there when oil hit the forward header.

The question is, that is just a cover and I would not be removing any other moving part of engine, right?
I think I can handle it if when that cover is removed, valves would be exposed but I would not have to fumble with them.

How many miles do you have on the engine?

 

[aka1004]

How many miles do you have on the engine?

8000 since rebuilt.

 

[NancysToy]

It's just a cover, Make sure you have new gaskets on hand , And be very meticulous in removing the old gaskets. Also cross tighten the bolts holding the cover.

And make sure you don't order a "head gasket". This is a valve cover gasket. Also be sure to have some Loctite 518 or another suitable adhesive to secure the gasket to the valve cover before reinstallation.

 

[Chupaca]

Double check..!!

Check the other valve cover as well. If your changing one I would change the other as well while your there. As Scotty said good adhesive to secure the valve cover gasket in place and watch the torque pattern to make a good seal between the cover and the head...:thumbup:

 

[aka1004]

Thank you guys. I think I can handle this. I will undo frunk and cougar head if I have to for easier access.

It just never ends.
Got this small oil leak plus blipper went out, Bracket for rear fender broke again for the third time and coolant reservoir too, for the third time. Reservoir splitted vertically this time instead of typical split at seam.

 

[DrewNJ]

Before you dive into this job go around and give all the head cover bolts a quick snug....You might be surprised.

 

[beanoil]

Before you dive into this job go around and give all the head cover bolts a quick snug....You might be surprised.

This.. I'd give those bolts a quick 1/4 turn, and see if that does it. And, crazy as it sounds, next oil change, add a quart of Redline. The esters will help swell the seal and may stop that drip.

 

[aka1004]

I tried torquing the bolt but it didn't budge but I had very limited room for full leverage.
I will give it another try with more panels off. Since gaskets are like 10 bucks I thought I should have it in hand before I tear into spyder. Thank you.

On another matter, since I need to order rear shock by individual pieces, I was thinking may be I can order the shock absorber itself and the urethane bushing and reuse the rest, granted they are in good shape???

 

[DrewNJ]

On another matter, since I need to order rear shock by individual pieces, I was thinking may I can order the shock obsorber itself and the urethane bushing and reuse the rest, granted they are in good shape???

That's the way I'd do it. Just like replacing a strut on a car. Reuse the hard parts and replace the damper and bushings.