Hey Folks!
After a long hiatus I will need to do a timing belt and very likely a driver side head gasket. After a forum search It seems that an in frame head R&R is not possible.
Do I really need to pull the motor to do the head(s)? Is an in frame head R&R: (A)impossible, (B)Difficult, (C)Impractical. or(D) just a bad idea?
Dangerleb
(whose opinion I hold in high regard) has correctly pointed out that there have been no write ups with pictures detailing how exactly to remove the head in frame and further, there may be no way to properly torque certain bolts when it is assembly time. There was some talk of cutting the old head bolts due to space restrictions. Fine. But how do you install new ones if you dont have the space to pull the old ones?
Headbolts are not terribly bendy stretchy
and I can see they wont clear the head without some serious body english on the engine which, may not be possible. The covers, sure. The Cams, yea, OK. Cracking the bolts, backing em off and cutting them. Assuming this all works and I remove the head, rebuild it, and get new head bolts....
I am facing the very real possibility of doing this job and I would like to know if some resourceful individual has indeed succeeded in pulling it off WITHOUT pulling the engine. IF so....HOW on earth do you manage it? It seems really, really tight and even with disconnecting the mounts and shifting the motor there isn't a hec of a lot of room. Those head bolts are in there and that head has been good friends with the block since 1984. I am not above a few special and/or improvised tools if thats what it takes. However, cutting the inner fender is NOT an option. ( GO ahead. you can admit it, we ALL thought about it.)
SO anyone who has actually R&R a head or two PLEASE in the name of Ferdinand Porsche and his donkey let me know how to pull this rabbit out of a hat. I really, really, don't want to pull this motor, but reality may think differently so chime in folks and let me know what happiness waits for me. IF there is no way around it. You can tell me I just gotta man up and pull the mill. And of course let me know any tips and tricks for the engine pull which I may have to grudgingly do. I am sure that The Wyait list is going to pretty long if the motor needs to come on out. I am pretty sure head gaskets are par for the course considering it is 30 years old so I am not going to feel special about it. Once the plan has been formulated, I will make a parts list, Calculate the cost, Mortgage some property, rob a bank, sell some blood, the usual.
It is an 84 928S 4.7 L 16v Auto
Oh, and does anyone have a driver side head gasket just lying around?
Worst case scenario, anybody have a 16v head?
HEC! If I have to take it out what about a good used S4?
Advance warning: * IF * Anyone suggests I put a domestic V8 in there..... I WILL find you...
Thanks All!