Blown Head—how to repair?

[Gilles]

Hello McSpooney,

If you are sending the head to Hoffman Engineering, you may want to consider sending both sides for a head repair and porting..

Regarding the removal/installation, if you use a brace between the strut towers, you will be able to hang the engine from above (the bottom will be clear to move yourself around) and after removing the transmission mounts, you would be able to lower the engine several inches to clear the frame rails, just be careful not to stress the engine harness (better to disconnect it).

For a brace, I used a home made (4x4) with a long treaded 'J' hook through the 4x4 that allowed me to lower or raise the engine smoothly with a nut and a couple of washers.. I can search for a picture if you want, good luck!

[McSpooney]

Originally Posted by Gilles

Hello McSpooney,

If you are sending the head to Hoffman Engineering, you may want to consider sending both sides for a head repair and porting..

Regarding the removal/installation, if you use a brace between the strut towers, you will be able to hang the engine from above (the bottom will be clear to move yourself around) and after removing the transmission mounts, you would be able to lower the engine several inches to clear the frame rails, just be careful not to stress the engine harness (better to disconnect it).

For a brace, I used a home made (4x4) with a long treaded 'J' hook through the 4x4 that allowed me to lower or raise the engine smoothly with a nut and a couple of washers.. I can search for a picture if you want, good luck!

Hah I don't know about spending all that extra time and money to get the other head off. Sends a chill down my spine considering going thru all this again for the other head.

Buuuuuut. I really like your idea of lowering the engine a bit. I happen to have one of those strut tower bridges from working on a honda earlier this year. I'll take a look and see what it takes to fit it.

[Gilles]

Originally Posted by McSpooney

Buuuuuut. I really like your idea of lowering the engine a bit. I happen to have one of those strut tower bridges from working on a honda earlier this year. I'll take a look and see what it takes to fit it.

McSpooney, I found the picture of my beaner shade tree mechanic tool, it is actually a 2x4 but it was strong and stable enough to lower and raise the engine/gearbox assy.

The treaded rod allows you to fine tune the position, if I remember correctly, I put a bit of anti seize on the treads to make it work pretty smooth.. :-)

PS:Sorry for the picture not sure what happen... :-(

[McSpooney]

Originally Posted by Gilles

McSpooney, I found the picture of my beaner shade tree mechanic tool, it is actually a 2x4 but it was strong and stable enough to lower and raise the engine/gearbox assy.

The treaded rod allows you to fine tune the position, if I remember correctly, I put a bit of anti seize on the treads to make it work pretty smooth.. :-)

PS:Sorry for the picture not sure what happen... :-(

Beautiful! I was going to ask what part of the motor you hooked it up to, but I get it now

[McSpooney]

So I read thru the hoffman site... I am thinking of just sending them the head and asking them to inspect and refurb it accordingly. I'll probably call them Monday. Thanks again for all your guys' input.

I just inspected again and am seeing nothing. No cracks on the tops of the heads, no cracks in the exhaust or intake ports.
The ports are a little crummy though, so its hard to tell. My rotary tool broke, otherwise I would be wire brushing the insides to see if it helps me see a crack.

I mean maybe there's no crack and this was all a head gasket issue??
Incoming image bomb... I am bad at taking pics...

[BYprodriver]

Originally Posted by McSpooney

So I read thru the hoffman site... I am thinking of just sending them the head and asking them to inspect and refurb it accordingly. I'll probably call them Monday. Thanks again for all your guys' input.

I just inspected again and am seeing nothing. No cracks on the tops of the heads, no cracks in the exhaust or intake ports.
The ports are a little crummy though, so its hard to tell. My rotary tool broke, otherwise I would be wire brushing the insides to see if it helps me see a crack.

I mean maybe there's no crack and this was all a head gasket issue??
Incoming image bomb... I am bad at taking pics...

Head gaskets never fail if properly installed, they are little more than steel shims. Send both heads to Hoffman they can make the heads stronger to prevent cracks & a great valve job. You don't want to do this twice.