Head Gasket Time

[88FestivaLX]

Is there any way I can test the distributor in my car? Or is there anything to look for when I get it out?

[ejp2fast]

I'm just so afraid I'm not going to be able to do it.

of course you can do it! for TDC, turn the crank bolt (21mm i think??) (you may need to remove the long bolt at the passenger side engine mount)

i meant to add, do you have your upper timing belt cover on? if not (like me) you can turn the camshaft bolt to turn over the engine as long as the the timing belt is attached.

[Handyman]

I know the Haynes says it's easier to pull engine/tranny together but if you need a clutch too have you considered pulling the hole engine doing it all and reinstalling the engine. I have an 88 that needs clutch,timing belt combo. I thought i might as well pull the engine.rebuild the head replace timing belt, water pump and maybe even rings. and full gasket set. It's not a daily driver so there's no hurry . It has a 132,00 hard miles on it so I know it needs it. I have never attempted anything like this before but I figure if I don't have to have it running, it will be fun and the way Murphy sees it, If it doesn't HAVE to run, it probably will.

[88FestivaLX]

Yea, I'm thinking about going ahead and pulling it out. Where in FL are you Handyman?

[geezerstiva]

its really not that hard, i've seen and helped with one twice and done it once. be sure to mark all the dang little hoses and wires. take your time and don't get frustrated. that timing belt tensioner is the hardest thing to put back on. that little spring that holds the tension right is extremely hard to get back on. on one of our cars, the spring broke and went through the timing belt. when we put it back together after changing the belt, we just took a piece of wood, used that to tension to what we thought felt right, and tightened the bolt down. its been running good for about 50K miles now, so i guess it worked. :lol:
oh, we also pulledthe intake manifold/carburetor out with the head (still bolted together). i think the manual says take that off first. the exhaust manifold wont come out with it or we would have done that too. :lol:
have fun!

[88FestivaLX]

And its off to the shop.....I got it torn down a good ways, but have just run out of time. Since last Wednesday my Explorer blew a head gasket and the rear end came apart in my Mustang. So I have nothing to drive. Too many projects at once, ha

[ejp2fast]

oh man sorry to hear all your rides pooped... hope you get one running to drive soon.

[88FestivaLX]

While it's there, should I go ahead and put a clutch in it? Car has 165000 on it and has the original one in it. I have to put in a drivers side cv axle anyway. Also, should I just get a gasket kit for the whole engine? I'm guessing I might as well since it will be apart. I think I'll put a new water pump on too.

[ejp2fast]

all up to you and what you want to spend... clutch kit is about $70 and i don't know what they'd charge in labor... yeah, i'd to H2O pump, tensioner, and timing belt.. if you don't need to go into the bottom end, then there would be no need for a full gasket set- just upper.

[88FestivaLX]

Well, I'm going tomorrow to do some work to it. I went ahead and got an oil pan gasket b/c mine looked like it was leaking. I noticed drops of fluid on the bottom of the tranny too. I'm praying its an external seal and not the one inside. Haven't decide on clutch yet.

[ejp2fast]

also check the front crank seal.. they are notorious of leaking.

[88FestivaLX]

I noticed when I pulled the timing cover off that the water pump and everything was nasty looking like it had oil on it.

[Tim]

The clutch is your call.

My first Festiva had 220k on it when I sold it, and that was after a 16 year old (me) used it to learn how to drive a stick. The clutch was original from '88 and worked perfectly at the time of sale. My tranny also had the drops of oil on the bottom too.

I'd say that if it's not slipping and the throwout bearing is quiet, leave it alone.


-Tim