Anybody want to guess my problem?

[daveimme]

Had train ticket in hand....waiting to hear from my buddy the last transmission whether I board for Memphis to get car.....or to stay.

Bad news. Stay.

He was at shop working on it, wife was on pc talking to me (we're deaf, so we use IM).....she tells me that he got it all together, cranked up fine and all.....head gasket leaking like crazy....

He's never had this problem before (this guy DOES have integrity, and I would never accuse him of lying) right after a rebuild.

So, she was not able to really tell me what was wrong and he was working on it (this was at noon today...and I've yet to har from them), so I'm waiting to hear what the problem actually is.

What would a good guess be? I'm no mechanic, but I am guessing possibly a stud stretched too much?? I remember replacing them in my BMW as recommended when had to replace cam/rocker arm, so I wonder if this is a possibility.

I'm frustrated now, too.....no idea what is wrong...spent about $500 already (rebuilt head, balance/timing belt, tensioner, head gasket set and some front seals) and problem not completely solved. It could be by now, but I don't know it...... Heck, I don't even know if he got my message that I'm not on the train!!

So, rather than be in the dark, what would someone think is wrong with head gasket leaking after replacing? Would the block be suspect??

[AFJuvat]

Off the top of my head (from cheapest to most expensive)

Incorrect headgasket installation (make sure OBEN is on top)
Improper torque on head
Broken head stud
Head Warped
Head overtorqued - this "pulls" the stud a bit out of the block, raising a small "mound" of metal, preventing a good seal.
Debris between engine, gasket and head
Head improperly machined
Cracked head

Since you have said he is an experienced P-car mechanic, I am inclined to eliminate the first two.

Broken head stud - it happens, but not that often on 944s

Sorry, best guesses based on the info you have, please post updates.

AFJuvat

[daveimme]

Thanks...I'm certainly going to find out more and will post results.... pretty darn frustrating, though

[daveimme]

Well, didn't talk to my buddy yet, but his wife got online this am and she said that the place he got the head made a mistake and left a cap off, and oil gushed out there....She did say he was relieved it was not the gasket, so......

I'm an idiot at these things, so I have no idea what 'cap', but I would surmise the valve area or such.....so he has to take it back tomorrow for them to fix it and then get it back on and then we shall be vroooming again.

So, another week of waiting to get it.....so gonna probably go up Saturday.

Willpost an update this afternoon after I talk to him...he told me he took photos while working on it, so when I see him, I will upload the pics from his cam to the net......he knows how to take pics, but not how to upload to pc yet...that's where I come in!

[daveimme]

Update. I'll try to explain what my mechanic told me, but bear with my ignorance.

He said that the head was missing a pressure relief valve for the lifter(s)....(does that make sense?). Said was squirting out like a water hose.

He's gonna find out tomorrow if the head has to be removed to remedy this problem....anyone know?

I don't understand what he is talking about, so will have to wait to see him next weekend (should be done by then) for him to explain it all to me....

[AFJuvat]

Should be able to do it by removing the cam tower.

Thought only the later heads had that. Was your head replaced at some point?

AFJuvat

[daveimme]

AF, this IS the replacement head. Buddy got this rebuilt head from his former employer, so yeah it was replaced. I guess it has to be a later head, but apparently they are interchangeable. But, as a curious one may ask, why is the head different if early and later models are interchangeable? I mean is the later head a better design? Or is it just enhancements?

Either way, glad he won't have to tear it down again to remedy this.

Thanks for the enlightenment, AF

[AFJuvat]

Yep, the newer heads have it - it was probably removed from your replacement and overlooked.

The heasds are interchangable - the newer ones are a improved design.

IMO, you may have to pay for the part, but you shouldn't have to eat the cost for installing it - even if they do have to remove the head for some reason.


AFJuvat

[daveimme]

If I got the rebuilt head (it was an exchange) that would mean the head come complete as designed, right? Still think I should have to pay for that part? Know what I mean? Sorry if I wasn't clear earlier, but this is a core exchange...this head is a remanufactured/rebuilt, ready to go...new valves, guides, seals, the whole gizmo.....

This place is his old employer, and they are still on good terms (no hard feelings), so I think they will accomodate him (me) here. We'll see....he's going over at noon today and will know more then....

Question....will this head be noticed driving (performance wise) or better just a more efficient head? If no performance enhancement, that is fine, but if this means better flow of oil, then I can't complain either.

Btw, AF...what is that part that he needs? I'm looking on pelican parts list but don't see that....

[AFJuvat]

It is just an improved design - no performance gain with it.

"...would mean the head came complete as designed right?"

Like any good question, the answer is "It depends"

Some manufacturers/rebuilders consider a rebuilt head to be just the heads and valve train, others consider pressure relief valve, thermo switch etc to be included. Depends on the manufacturer

Kind of like how some calipers will come with the floating frame, others just have the caliper body, and you have to move it to the old frame.

Obviously your new head didn't come with one. Curious if they had to transfer over your thermo switch as well?

If it were me that was doing the work, I would charge you for the part, but not for the re-installation (and any gaskets associated with it) since I missed it in the first place.

Pelican may have it, but just not on the BBS - call. However, I am thinking it may be one of those "dealer only" parts.

AFJuvat