90' Festiva head gasket job?

[jroberson1981]

Haynes manual does cover this, and you really should get one, as Tom says. Still. You can loosen the tensioner, pull it back, then tighten the bolt to hold it in place, then slip belt off cam sprocket. Later, you just make sure it is seated properly on the crank and reinstall.

Thank you.. I do have the manual and just wanted to make sure that's what and how I really could do it.. thank you so much for your help

[jimdigs]

Here ya go... never mind...link is dead. Couldn't figure out how to delete the entire post. DUH

[scitzz]

So how do I take the head off then if I don't need to take the timing belt off

Haynes manual does cover this, and you really should get one, as Tom says. Still. You can loosen the tensioner, pull it back, then tighten the bolt to hold it in place, then slip belt off cam sprocket. Later, you just make sure it is seated properly on the crank and reinstall.

[TominMO]

So how do I take the head off then if I don't need to take the timing belt off

Get a Haynes manual; save you a lot of time asking very basic questions. The timing belt does not need to come off the crankshaft, just the head. You are going to need the manual for all the torque specs anyway, so just go buy it. Also, on the top timing belt cover, there is a bolt that is hard to get to, in the rear down by the timing belt tensioner. If/when you get that one off, don't put it back in. Cut the upper cover above it, and around the WP pulley so it won't ever rub. The other three are easy to find.

[jroberson1981]

And yeah, unless you are also replacing the timing belt, you don't have to remove them anyway.

So how do I take the head off then if I don't need to take the timing belt off

[scitzz]

And yeah, unless you are also replacing the timing belt, you don't have to remove them anyway.

[scitzz]

If they are rounded, the bit for it isn't going to fit either, have a pic of them?

[SWRT]

All good suggestions. I would add that I have removed those more than once with Vice Grip pliers.

What about an impact screwdriver? Not sure if it can get in there, but they're really
cheap at Harbor Freight

[jimdigs]

I am doing the headgasket and all that I have the intake n exhaust off bit I'm having trouble with the crankshaft pulley and dust cover can someone please help me in the best way to finish getting these off so I can finish doin this job. I have 2 of the 4 bolts off I rounded off the other 2 so I also have to get them off. Please and thank you for the help

You only need to take off the water pump pulley not the crankshaft pulley. Plus only the top dust cover.

[scitzz]

Are you talking about Philips head screwdriver bolts? I use a Philips driver attachment on a rachet, the biggest one which fits to avoid slippage. Also apply penetrating oil beforehand. However if your heads are too far gone sometimes a big heavy set of pliers, like fencing pliers, can grab the head of the bolt and get it turning. Works on Philips head bolts for me sometimes. Don't know if you can get access to them with the engine still in the car. Also maybe flatten two sides of the bolt head with a file or angle grinder? Others here have cut a slot in round bolt heads and used a slotted screwdriver.

All good suggestions. I would add that I have removed those more than once with Vice Grip pliers.

[WmWatt]

Are you talking about Philips head screwdriver bolts? I use a Philips driver attachment on a rachet, the biggest one which fits to avoid slippage. Also apply penetrating oil beforehand. However if your heads are too far gone sometimes a big heavy set of pliers, like fencing pliers, can grab the head of the bolt and get it turning. Works on Philips head bolts for me sometimes. Don't know if you can get access to them with the engine still in the car. Also maybe flatten two sides of the bolt head with a file or angle grinder? Others here have cut a slot in round bolt heads and used a slotted screwdriver.

[jroberson1981]

I am doing the headgasket and all that I have the intake n exhaust off bit I'm having trouble with the crankshaft pulley and dust cover can someone please help me in the best way to finish getting these off so I can finish doin this job. I have 2 of the 4 bolts off I rounded off the other 2 so I also have to get them off. Please and thank you for the help

[tooldude]

How far do you drive the car, how hot is it getting and for how long? That may give some idea as to how much damage is being done, though you can't exactly go by a temp guage when the sending unit is not staying immersed in coolant.

[jimdigs]

Did you perhaps deglaze the cylinder walls when you replaced your piston rings? I'm looking at replacing the piston rings on a different vehicle and everywhere I read, it says that you need to at least deglaze your cylinder walls to get the crosshatch pattern available for the new rings to break into.

Yes I did.

[scitzz]

Yep, HG is REAL easy on these cars. While Tominmo is right, buy a Haynes, there is a simpler method to removing the head than they give. Unplug all the wires up top, and all hoses, make sure you understand how to find top dead center and line up for timing belt install, remove timing belt according to book, disconnect and plug fuel lines, remove exhaust down pipe, remove rocker cover and remove head bolts in pattern shown in book, remove head from bay, THEN remove manifolds. Oh yeah, there is a bar in the back that attaches to block and head, remove that. The only thing I disagree with the manual about is removing the manifolds in the engine bay, when you reinstall, just attach the intake manifold, install head, then attach the exhaust manifold. Use copper spray on the gasket. Have the head machined.