Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Ive blown a Head Gaskit in my 1989 Mitsubishi Triton 2 wheel drive(2 L) work ute and was wondering which way to go --- put the car in and have it done by a mechanic, or take the Head off and have it machined myself and put it back together myself ? ( Money IS an issue at this time of year)
I am not a rocket scientist when it comes to mechanics, so is it a difficult job ? I have tried to find websites that show how it is done and have come up with this -------
http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroke ... 1f8638.jsp

Has anyone done one, back yard style ???

Anything to watch out for ?

Does anyone have any idea what it costs to have a mechanic do the job ?? or have the head machined myself ?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Put a commodore V6 and T700 in it

1. Get your ass of the interweb

2. Go down to local Burson's, Repco etc,

3. Purchase Gregory's manual (best of a bad bunch)

4. Follow instructions

as above , just pull the head off and get it checked and machined if needed, buy the manual and parts required and go for it - i'm not familiar with tritons but i dont think they are too complicated.

x3 Im in the middle of a full engine rebuild and with a decent manual, a head gasket is a piece of piss. Other than parts and time, the only cost to doing it yourself is getting the head machined and crack tested, oh, and plenty of skinned knuckles.

I found that having ziplock bags is good for keeping bolts etc. as they are transparent and easy to label with a texta. Plus a couple of boxes and clean rags if you have to remove ancillaries like cams etc.

Take it slow, think about what your doing, and you will be sweet. Good Luck!

Most importantly, you'll need a decent torque wrench.

The only drama is the cam timing. If the engine as a 4G64, im sure they are a 'free spinner' so if you stuff it up, you wont damage anything. We had lots of these break timing belts in forklifts, and none done any damage, thet just stoped.

Also a good time for new timing belts/tensioners

Thanks for the reply`s and advice everyone.

For most of my life I havnt been one bit interested in the mechanical side of cars but over the past couple of years I have taken a great interest in it. I now love being able to do "some" of the work myself. (luckily I have my 4by as back - up)

It was suggested that I get a Gregory`s manual. Is this good enough or should I get the book ? ------
http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroke ... 1f8638.jsp

The one thing that does worry me is the timing - ???

Any idea what a good torque wrench is worth ?

Thanks again.

A good torque wrench can be had for about $100-$150

Dont sweat the timing. The cam and crankshaft sprockets will probably have marks on them to let you know where TDC on number one cylinder is so you can go from there. Once you have TDC (trust me, it sounds harder than it is) you can remove the timing belt (by loosening off your tensioner) and just dont touch the crank and you should be sweet.
As said above, its worth changing the timing belt and tensioner(s) etc. while you're there. Even if yours are in good nick, you'll have spares if your TB lets go next time you're off road. Don't get oil or fuel on your TB when you're removing it. As soon as its off put it in its own box and move it right out of the way.

My head bolts also needed a 12 point socket (which I didnt have) so it might be worth getting all the shit you're going to need together before you start too. The manual should have a list of what you will need.


EDIT: even if you fcuk the timing, any decent mechanic will be able to fix it for you pretty cheaply.

Well then, I went to the local spare parts place and asked for a Mitsubishi Triton Manual. He looked it up in his book and said they dont make one. He said that I would have to go to Mitsubishi. Soooo I rang Mitsubishi and told them what I was after and they said they dont make one -?????
He said that they used to make one, and it was as thick as the Encyclopedia Britannica and it took you a week to read it, and suggested if I wanted one, to look on e-bay.

So I cracked it and took it around to one of my customers (mechanic) and he pulled the motor down while I was there.
There is no way, on Gods Green Earth that I could of done that

The result : Other than the blown Head Gaskit, it has a cracked Head He said that the Gas set up wasnt done properly and the servicing hadnt been done correctly.
I should get it back early next week.

Again, thanks for your help.

That sucks dude. Hope it doesnt sting the back pocket too hard.

v840 wrote:

That sucks dude. Hope it doesnt sting the back pocket too hard

.

Oh yea, and the water pump has shyt itself too

Anyone want to take a guess what its going to cost me ? I get it back early next week, so I`ll let you know.

Anyone ?????????

TheGatta wrote:

v840 wrote:

That sucks dude. Hope it doesnt sting the back pocket too hard

.

Oh yea, and the water pump has shyt itself too

Anyone want to take a guess what its going to cost me ? I get it back early next week, so I`ll let you know.

Anyone ?????????

geez tuff one bloke..... is the head repairable or are we talking new casting???
you're kissing a 'G' goodbye for sure

v840 wrote: My head bolts also needed a 12 point socket

That's a big trick, normal sockets fit on there, my hilux has them, no bull

high n mighty wrote:

v840 wrote: My head bolts also needed a 12 point socket

That's a big trick, normal sockets fit on there, my hilux has them, no bull

Ha Ha, everyone is always surprised when the see them, always ask how the fark am i meant to undo them............. With a socket

Got a phone call from the mechanic half an hour ago. The Head is knackered, stuffed, rooted, shot. Need a replacement so what will I be up for now

TheGatta wrote:Got a phone call from the mechanic half an hour ago. The Head is knackered, stuffed, rooted, shot. Need a replacement so what will I be up for now

Lots

Should have done it yourself