Head gasket change ??

[jlmillionaire]

Hey guys , i decided to freshen some things up in my s14. Head removal being one of them to do cams springs and new head gasket, plus one of my freeze plugs popped out of the back of the head main cause of the previous statements. Ok so here's my question should I bother to get my head decked even know I did not blow a head gasket also what do you guys think about the permatex gasket remover for the remaining head gasket .thanks guys my bad for the noob kinda questions but this is the first time around the block for me with this one.

[dave123thomas]

I'd personally get it decked. I always do since the one time I didn't it didn't work

[KAT-PWR]

If you're using a crush gasket you're probably fine. You can always check the head with a straight edge.

[Kingtal0n]

I wouldn't if you can use a straightedge to make sure its straight. Whenever you remove material from the head, you also have to remove it from the oil pump, and that constantly gives people problems (oil leaks at the front of the engine are common). furthermore, it lowers the camshafts/gears slightly, making the timing chain have a little more slack, and this can change your camshaft settings I think. iirc it retards them slightly for some reason. I dont remember why though.

[omgosh]

Why would you have to machine the "oil pump"? (Im assuming you mean front lower cover) Just take the front upper cover to get done while bolted onto the head.

I had a head come off a 180psi across compression motor (220k miles though) and it needed to be machined. You should at least check.

[jlmillionaire]

I'm just gonna get the head decked , gonna cost me 75$