Blown Head Gasket, Update

[Zippy]

Everything went back together fine. I had a hard time finding an oil filter. The parts guy said the Fram was no longer available. A mechanic friend suggested a Bosch 3402 and it fits just like the old one. I hooked up the battery and she turned over fine. One fairly noisy clacking sound and then it burst to life. I think the clacking sound is because a few of the valves are out of tolerance. Had to shut her down due to a fuel leak. When I restarted it the clacking noise wasn't as loud.

I have an exhaust leak where the exhaust manifold meets the two pipe section. I put a new gasket in and torqued it but I think I may have to do something else. Any suggestions?

I ordered an assortment of valve shims based on the tolerances I got when I got the head back from the mechanic. I'm going to try to change the shims without buying the tool. Any tips on how to get the screw driver trick to work?

Still don't know what the final torque setting should be. I torqued it to 56 and will retorque it when it warms up.

Al

[majicwrench]

Al,
I looked in several of my old manuals and they all said head bolt torque 61ft/lbs. for 1800.
Make sure engine cold if you are going to re-torque.
Fix cause of pinging or you will be right back here again soon.
Glad to hear sounds of success!
Keith

[pope]

I just bought a new oil filter at AutoZone this week and had a choice between a Fram or a STP. I think the guy was mistaken

[rlux4]

I think Pope is right. I've got a Fram on my car right now (PH16).
This is a pet peeve of mine: nowdays a lot of the help in retail (auto parts and home improvement stores particularly) don't know and will say "we don't have that" or "they don't make that anymore". Drives me crazy. (It's a short drive though.)
Ron

[Zippy]

Thanks guys for the info,

Keith what manual do you have? Is it still available?

I found a Fram PH16 at Shucks Auto so I bought it for next time I change the oil.

Got the shims, had a hard time getting the the screw driver to work. I decided to buy the tool from Vick AUto.

Al

[Zippy]

Well last weekend I finished the work on putting the head back together. Thanks Keith for the info on the torque value for the head bolts. I retorqued them Sunday morning. I spent part of the day adjusting the valves. I'm glad I broke down and bought the tool. It sure made things a lot easier. I have a remote starter switch but I could'nt figure out where to connect it. That would have helped too. Got the exhaust leak stopped just by re-torquing the bolts.

I topped off the radiator and took her off the stands. Cleaned up all the tools and pulled her out of the garage. The tapping and clacking in the valves is gone. I had to do some fine tuning on the timing and realized I had the timing marks mixed up. Since I don't have the timing cover on, it is kind of hard to tell where TDC is exactly. I just kept adjusting the timing and gap until I got a smooth idle and quick acceleration without hesitatition. Started thinking about electronic ignition but looked up the cost and changed my mind. I still need to spend money on suspension stuff.

I took her over to the gas station and filled her up, then headed down Dash Point Road for a spin. Wow! She's running great, pulling strong and no misfires or pinging. Cruised around for about an hour taking it easy so as not to break anything else. One of the best parts is the oil leaking from the exhaust studs has stopped, thanks Mark for the tip about sealing the stud ends inside the cam tower.

The weather here has been gorgeous lately so, on Wednesday, I suggested to the wife we take the car to Bellevue for dinner, about 50 miles round trip. She was a little uncomfortable saying "what if it broke down again, are you sure it's fixed", etc. We took her car instead. Last night I convinced her it would be fine so we went to Tacoma via Dash Point Raod, Highway 509 and Ruston Way, about 34 miles round trip. What a great ride. There's even a tunnel so I can legally sound the air horn at the exit. There is a bad patch of road so the suspension problems show up with the shaking in the front end. I know I need new bushings but I also know everything else is sound. That's my next FIAT project. It's going to have to wait though, as we are starting to install new wood floors throughout the main floor of the house next week. Ugh, what am going to do with all the furniture?

So a great big THANKS to all those who offered help, suggestions and tips, etc.

Al

[rlux4]

That's great news Al, thanks for the update. Your itinerary brought back memories of when I lived up there. I attended college in south Seattle and made it down to Tacoma and Dash Point state park occasionally.
Congratulations.
Ron