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Head gasket question

A

at t 2d

Well-Known Member
I had a shop pull the tranny to reseal it and put in a new torque converter because the old one was not locking - the electrical and lock solenoid are good. They found that the stator is severely worn so I decided to ship the transmission off to get built by a guy that specializes in the 3.8 turbo cars since it is at 45k miles.

Now that the tranny is out, we are going to try and track down an oil leak from the rear of the engine that we couldn't find. The shop said it is the head gaskets, but I am going to have my 3.8 specialist come by for a look. If it is the head gaskets. How bad is it to try and change them with the engine in the car?

Had the car towed home on Tuesday and its on the lift, just haven't had a chance to examine it closely yet.

Thanks.
 
Rear main seal seems more likely the oil leak source or even a valve cover, as stated above. Headgaskets can be done with motor in the car, but those iron heads are heavy and cumbersome to put on the block. It's hard on your back. I think out of the car will yeild better results as it is easier to use the torque wrench and get a good bead and seal for the intake gasket.

Everytime I change HG it is with the motor in the car so forsure it can be done. If I can do it you can too.
 
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Hi guys

I inherited a Turbo TA with a T72 Garret turbo which currently has a blown head gasket with ARP bolts, (I think) according to my deceased dad's receipts. The car shop is now out of business. Don't have much more info.

What is the best head gaskets and torque specs?
What other gaskets intake? Throttle body?
(Whatever thats all I can remember he used to talk about)

-Might I need?
Help a working girl not get ripped off, but still go really fast...

Really appreaciated

XOXOX
 
T72 ???, not familiar with the T72 but if google is right that's a pretty big turbo with a T4 header flange.And if so you may be looking at some really go fast stuff in that engine.

Post apicture or 2 of the engine
 
WS6 said:
T72 ???, not familiar with the T72 but if google is right that's a pretty big turbo with a T4 header flange.And if so you may be looking at some really go fast stuff in that engine.

Post apicture or 2 of the engine
Click to expand...
Exactly.

The turbo is a garett/ turbonetics
You're pretty smart it is a t4 header flange with a dump tube with optional connection for full exhaust. The car has DFI fuel system and turbo 400 trans brake from art carr 5000 stall.
 
cravinglucy said:
Exactly.

The turbo is a garett/ turbonetics
You're pretty smart it is a t4 header flange with a dump tube with optional connection for full exhaust. The car has DFI fuel system and turbo 400 trans brake from art carr 5000 stall.
Click to expand...
what ? i would love to see lucy Jas0n
 
Any evidence of headwork being done? or Champion heads in those receipts?

I'm gonna guess that thing breathes big and is probably using a multi layer headgasket,copper or otherwise....and should probably should have head studs and not head bolts.

Don't take this wrong, but I don't know your skill level or bank account size, but I'd suggest you de-tune that thing as I bet it is pretty high strung on the street thus making it a handful to maintain and tune.

Hell for all I know it could be an S2 engine in there.

But these don't require much to make them dominate on the street and faster than about 75% of what you'll come up against at any grudge night at the track.
 
cravinglucy said:
ARP Head Bolts... copper head gasket are worthless... I'm looking for state of the art performance. Not excuses.
Click to expand...

Copper headgaskets aren't worthless. Usually the person installing them are worthless.

I personally would run the Felpro 9441's, ARP head STUDS, and get the heads machined flattened.
 
cravinglucy said:
ARP Head Bolts... copper head gasket are worthless... I'm looking for state of the art performance. Not excuses.
Click to expand...


You want state of the art performance ? from 20-25 year old iron block V6 technology? Good luck....


You want No Excuses?...then you you need to bail out and get yourself into some LSx powered car.

From what you've told us your running a monster turbo with probably big cylinder pressures...multi layer copper/steel IS state of the art for this application. Detonation or not.

You've got a blown headgasket for a reason,so you better figure that out first.
 
cravinglucy said:
augh,

I'm reading my receipts idiot. I need someone who is really going to help me with my deceased father's car.

Ps. Don't write me. Unless you are going to help retard.
Click to expand...
sorry dear , thought you was one of the guys on here trying to be funny. sounds like you learned alot from your dad :)
 
Decked machined and installed 1000 miles ago gives 4000 1/4 mile passes.

You blow a headgasket or lift the heads they need to be decked or checked. Probably need .0003".
 
Re: Head gasket question- Help a girl out

Here are some pics of the engine...:beach:

To replace the head gaskets do I need to buy new head bolts?

Have you heard kinetic head gaskets?

My uncle was supposed to help me on it but he is used to working on SBC with carb.

Shopping list: Does anyone have part #s or a good vendor?

1. Throttle body
2. intake gaskets
3. Head Gaskets (still looking for the best solution)
4. Head Bolts?
5. Any suggestions?

Thanks guys,

Lucy
 
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Re: Head gasket question- Help a girl out

cravinglucy said:
Here are some pics of the engine...:beach:

To replace the head gaskets do I need to buy new head bolts?

Have you heard kinetic head gaskets?

My uncle was supposed to help me on it but he is used to working on SBC with carb.

Shopping list: Does anyone have part #s or a good vendor?

1. Throttle body
2. intake gaskets
3. Head Gaskets (still looking for the best solution)
4. Head Bolts?
5. Any suggestions?

Thanks guys,

Lucy
Click to expand...


Yes, you need new headbolts, use ARP headbolts.

When you say Kenetic headgaskets, I think you mean Cometic headgaskets.


I just had the headgaskets replaced on my car. I have the stock heads on there and I used felpro gaskets.

Is your uncle doing your work or a shop?

Here is the thread for the headbolts. Do what WS6 says and get the 3 different sizes of bolts as well as washers.
I got mine from Summit Racing Products.

ARP HEAD BOLTS - Turbo Trans Am Forum
 
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Re: Head gasket question- Help a girl out

cravinglucy said:
Here are some pics of the engine...:beach:

To replace the head gaskets do I need to buy new head bolts?

Have you heard kinetic head gaskets?

My uncle was supposed to help me on it but he is used to working on SBC with carb.

Shopping list: Does anyone have part #s or a good vendor?

1. Throttle body
2. intake gaskets
3. Head Gaskets (still looking for the best solution)
4. Head Bolts?
5. Any suggestions?

Thanks guys,

Lucy
Click to expand...

I have never heard of kinetic headgaskets. Maybe those are the state of the art ones though. :)

You mean Cometic headgaskets but those are multilayer copper headgaskets which you deem shitty. Wouldn't want to run those.

Yes, buy new bolts. Better yet, buy new studs.

Intake gasket...go to Oreilly's and buy a felpro one.

Throttle body? Send yours off to Steve Monroe and have yours rebuilt and machined to 62mm.

Welcome to Steves Homepage

Anything else, post up!
 
Lucy - why are you posting up pics of an engine bay from a Turbo Regal or something similar? That's definitely not an F body.
 
My uncle puts the car back together after we take it apart. I'm much better at breaking cars then putting them back together, I'm the driver.
Best ET 10.20 at 128 mph a/c on.

THANKS GUYS!!!!! XOXOXOX:cool1:
 
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