How do you change a headgasket on eb Ford Falcon?

Answer 1

It is not an easy job, if you are not a confident mechanic I would suggest you pay someone to do it or buy an workshop manual which will explain step by step.

It requires the removal of several major components of the engine (e.g. Radiator, coolant reservoir, Airbox, Rocker gear, Cam and cam sprocket) some of which if not refit correctly will cause serious damage to your engine.

There are also a number of electrical connectors, Coolant hoses, Vacuum hoses and cables that need to be disconnected and reconnected on reassembly.

The main tricks to remember if attempting this job,

1. Have a lifting jig (engine crane or gantry) as the head is heavy and bulky with all the accessories bolted to it (it is easier and quicker to remove with the manifolds still attached and remove them on the bench later) and it's very easy to damage Vacuum connectors and gaskets and surfaces on removal and reassembly.

2. When removing the cam sprocket, cable tie the chain to the sprocket to reduce the chance of the chain going out of time and don't turn the engine at all once the cam sprocket is taken off.

3. Clean, Clean, Clean and Clean again, the main thing to remember is that for the new gaskets, O rings etc to seal up properly, everything needs to be clean and gasket surfaces then sprayed with a product like Hylomar to help locate the gasket correctly and seal up any small imperfections.

4. The head needs to be properly crack tested, hardness tested and machined flat before refitting as if it has been over heated (which is the most common symptom of a blown head gasket) then the head WILL be warped on removal, MAY be Soft in spots and MAY be cracked which will all result in either the head gasket failing again or the engine still over heating and/or leaking or burning coolant which will result in the job having to be done again.