Head Gasket

[Gremlin]

Has any one on here ever changed a head Gasket. I have changed head Gasket on Rover twin cam and older cars but I have been warned that the one on the M44 engine is very difficult and my local garage won’t touch it this is because he dose not have camshaft locking tool not because he can’t do it. But he did say I’d be better off getting some one that knew what they are doing to do the job as regards to timing chain and timing marks and it’s totally different to cam belts to set up. I don’t like garage prices nor do I like to admit defeat but nor do I want to get it wrong and total my engine.
The reason I need to change Gasket is there is a slight leak on the edge of head just above temperature sender unit.

 

[Paul Rice]

Just bought locking tool off e bay for £29 as taking head off my M44 to see whats up with the engine, but will not be for a few weeks

 

[Gremlin]

Just bought locking tool off e bay for £29 as taking head off my M44 to see whats up with the engine, but will not be for a few weeks

You will have to tell me how it goes. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the engines running it runs great it’s just this blasted very slight leak that is also intermittent. I’ve changed every thing on that side of the block water wise. Temp sender the tube that goes in block below it and all pipes with new clips. The only place I keep going back to is the spot on the joint of head to block just above sender unit.

 

[Jack Ratt]

https://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/te...acement/59-ENGINE-Head_Gasket_Replacement.htm

It's not a difficult job if you've got the tools. Here is a tutorial for a little direction

 

[Paul Rice]

You will have to tell me how it goes. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the engines running it runs great it’s just this blasted very slight leak that is also intermittent. I’ve changed every thing on that side of the block water wise. Temp sender the tube that goes in block below it and all pipes with new clips. The only place I keep going back to is the spot on the joint of head to block just above sender unit.

Will do

 

[Gremlin]

https://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/te...acement/59-ENGINE-Head_Gasket_Replacement.htm

It's not a difficult job if you've got the tools. Here is a tutorial for a little direction

Thanks will have a look at it.

 

[Sean d]

@Stevo7682 has done it I believe

 

[Gremlin]

@Stevo7682 has done it I believe

Will check it out there is a Utube film that shows it I found it looks straight forward. But I want to check with some one that’s had hands on if that makes sense.

 

[Jack Ratt]

Once all the plastic bits are out of the way and you can see what you're doing it's not a difficult job. I've had my head off a few times and mines a 6 cylinder. Get a good quality gasket and new head bolts and the job is the same as it was on your old Rover.

 

[Gremlin]

Thank you that’s basically what I say it’s just nu

Once all the plastic bits are out of the way and you can see what you're doing it's not a difficult job. I've had my head off a few times and mines a 6 cylinder. Get a good quality gasket and new head bolts and the job is the same as it was on your old Rover.

This is what I say at the end of the day it’s nuts and bolts.
Thanks again.

 

[Gremlin]

Thank you that’s basically what I say it’s just nu

Once all the plastic bits are out of the way and you can see what you're doing it's not a difficult job. I've had my head off a few times and mines a 6 cylinder. Get a good quality gasket and new head bolts and the job is the same as it was on your old Rover.

This is what I say at the end of the day it’s nuts and bolts.
Thanks again.

 

[Stevo7682]

I done the head gasket on Lynne's zed out in the street and got it done ok .
This video from YouTube might help

View: https://youtu.be/JKg78rDfrIU

You will need to buy the cam / flywheel locking kit .
@Paul Rice I bought the eBay one as well .
You may find it requires some minor filing to adjust it mine was a bit tight once sorted fits fine .
If the heads coming off then it's new gasket and bolt kit min but I also did new water pump, thermostat coolant and oil and filter change.
If you are not touching the bottom end you can cable tie the chain to upper sprockets as per video and that keep the chain timing correct easier rebuilding.
Had slight problem getting the head off with exh manifold on had to turn it all while lifting to clear steering column.
Decided to fit head on with it removed which made re fitting head easier but then left me with another issue ( depending on how you look at stuff ) couldn't get the manifold up from underneath without taking off the lower brace we bit tight round column but goes on .
So depending on your point of view what is easier for me making sure head was fitted right without complication for my 1st priority.
But if you have any questions about it that I can help with fire away help if I can .
Stephen.

 

[Gremlin]

I done the head gasket on Lynne's zed out in the street and got it done ok .
This video from YouTube might help

View: https://youtu.be/JKg78rDfrIU

You will need to buy the cam / flywheel locking kit .
@Paul Rice I bought the eBay one as well .
You may find it requires some minor filing to adjust it mine was a bit tight once sorted fits fine .
If the heads coming off then it's new gasket and bolt kit min but I also did new water pump, thermostat coolant and oil and filter change.
If you are not touching the bottom end you can cable tie the chain to upper sprockets as per video and that keep the chain timing correct easier rebuilding.
Had slight problem getting the head off with exh manifold on had to turn it all while lifting to clear steering column.
Decided to fit head on with it removed which made re fitting head easier but then left me with another issue ( depending on how you look at stuff ) couldn't get the manifold up from underneath without taking off the lower brace we bit tight round column but goes on .
So depending on your point of view what is easier for me making sure head was fitted right without complication for my 1st priority.
But if you have any questions about it that I can help with fire away help if I can .
Stephen.

Thank you I’ve just done water pump and thermostat and viscous fan&hub so basically I’d need all top end Gasket new head bolts and I was thinking I’d put a set of hydraulic lifters in. I know what you mean about exhaust manifold I’ve been weighing up pros and cons on that myself. I’m not sure while the heads off on weather to have it pressure tested for cracks. Although I really don’t think it has any. My leak is on the edge that is marked just under temp sender. All those pipes and the plastic into the block have been replaced with new and new O ring, plus new sender switch no leaks on them.