How hard is it to replace the entire cylinder head?

[DamnedButDetermined]

I just water locked my engine and bent something in the cylinder head, because i have a ticking noise from the #2 cylinder. I can get a complete replacement head from a junk yard that is gauranteed to be good for $75. I figure this should fix my problem!

What all will i need to complete this project?

I know i need a new head gasket and torgue wrench, but after that i have no idea. What kind of special tools will i need to remove the original head and all accessories?

I did search for this and couldn't find what was needed, so please help me. If you know of a step by step internet guide please provide the link.

thanks for your time,
DbD

[Kreator]

U will need a set of good wrenches/sockets (100 piece set should do, as that's what i pulled my head off with ~$60), breaker bar($20), valve spring compressor ($20), head/2 intake mani/exhaust gaskets (~$50), some rtv, some time at a maschine shop for them to clean up/grind your valve seats and maybe an angle grinder with a soft brush to clean up all the old gaskets off the head (or just use a drill or plastic brush). And of course the part that you need to replace :)

Everything that comes in mind.... somebody can prolly add to this.

[DamnedButDetermined]

Originally posted by Kreator
valve spring compressor ($20), head/2 intake mani/exhaust gaskets (~$50), some rtv, some time at a maschine shop for them to clean up/grind your valve seats and maybe an angle grinder with a soft brush to clean up all the old gaskets off the head

Thanks for the list but i have some questions...I won't be needing the valve sping compressor will I if I am just swapping out cylinder heads? What do you mean by the head/2 intake mani/exhaust gaskets? What is rtv? And finally, If i am swapping the entire cylinder head with another then i shouldn't need the machine shop to clean up/grind my valves, should I?

The junk yard i am getting the head from says their heads are gauranteed to be good, but they have no way of checking them. They say i need to take it to a machine shop to be magnafluxed? How much will this cost and what is involve in this process?

thanks for the help again

[Kreator]

If the head you are getting is complete with valves then u won't need to grind and you wont need the valve spring compressor.

Your intake mani consists of the upper and lower halves. When u take your head off, you will be taking it together with the upper half of the intake manifold (at least its much easier that way). And then u'll have to disconnect the upper part from the head to swap heads. So you'll need a gaskets in between the intake manifold parts and between the manifold and the head. Then u'll nead the gaskets between the head and exhaust manifold and the head gasket.

rtv is a silicon gasket maker. you will need it when putting the front timing chain cover on as there is no gasket there.

first time i hear of magnafluxing (or maybe not, but i definately don't remember what it is). The easiest way is to go to a maschine shop and ask them what it is, do u really need to do it, and how much would it cost.

[stumpz]

i'm having a time getting my intake manifold off, so it's prolly gonna be just as hard for me getting the head off :/...it's prolly just cuz it's my first time doing it..o wellz :P

[DamnedButDetermined]

Thank you so much for the clarification (sp?) I will try and find a machine shop around here in jacksonville. I will supply a write up of my troubles when i start doing this.

thanks again

[ridebmx]

magnafluxing is just checking the head for cracks, most places where i am will check a head for 10 bucks, you can get a full head job(cleaned, checked, new seals, and valve seats cleaned up) done for like 40 bucks. I would suggest doing that if, would hate to get the head on and need new seals or something.

*Edit- make sure you have correct torgue for tighting head, also make sure you tighten in the right pattern, if not, your looking at some costly mistakes, buy a fsm, or ask ur local nissan dealer to see theirs, and photocopy the few pages you need, most places will let you do that

[DamnedButDetermined]

Originally posted by ridebmx
magnafluxing is just checking the head for cracks, most places where i am will check a head for 10 bucks, you can get a full head job(cleaned, checked, new seals, and valve seats cleaned up) done for like 40 bucks. I would suggest doing that if, would hate to get the head on and need new seals or something.

Thanks for the help. When you say a complete head check-up will cost $40 is that price the same if you don't supply the new seals?

If anyone knows of a good shop in jacksonville, florida please tell me so i can get the ball rolling!

thanks again!