How do you replace the head gasket on a 1995 Chevy Beretta?

Answer 1

First you have to remove the head. Scrape all the gasket gunk off best you can with a razor blade. If necessary, very carefully use a soft wire brush or steel wool. After that task is completed, make sure the new head gasket is the correct one. (yes parts can be put in the wrong packaging. it happens more often than you probably think) Before the head is put back on, it has to be machined!!! Trust me. If you cut this corner and don't have this done, you will be replacing that gasket again very soon, or worse, cracked head or a cracked block. It is very important that this is done. Most machine shops will do it for anywhere between $25 and $80, depending where you go. Reason this must be done is because the engine block is cast iron and the heads are aluminum. Under high temperatures and over time the aluminum heads warp just a tad bit, since aluminum is a softer metal than cast iron it gives in too much to cause problems later on if the head is not machined to a flat fitting again. A lot of times its best to listen to the old-timers, but in this case you shouldn't. THE HEAD HAS TO BE MACHINED! Well during the process of removing all those bolts and disconnecting things, you should have kept a log of where everything goes and plugs into. Basically just start going in reverse of disassembling the head and componets by putting it all back together. Before you go tightening nuts and bolts, make sure what your supposed to torque everything to according to manufacturer specifications. Remember, get the heads machined before putting them back on. Marshall Dailey from Paris, Illinois wrote this description!

First you have to remove the head. Scrape all the gasket gunk off best you can with a razor blade. If necessary, very carefully use a soft wire brush or steel wool. After that task is completed, make sure the new head gasket is the correct one. (yes parts can be put in the wrong packaging. it happens more often than you probably think) Before the head is put back on, it has to be machined!!! Trust me. If you cut this corner and don't have this done, you will be replacing that gasket again very soon, or worse, cracked head or a cracked block. It is very important that this is done. Most machine shops will do it for anywhere between $25 and $80, depending where you go. Reason this must be done is because the engine block is cast iron and the heads are aluminum. Under high temperatures and over time the aluminum heads warp just a tad bit, since aluminum is a softer metal than cast iron it gives in too much to cause problems later on if the head is not machined to a flat fitting again. A lot of times its best to listen to the old-timers, but in this case you shouldn't. THE HEAD HAS TO BE MACHINED! Well during the process of removing all those bolts and disconnecting things, you should have kept a log of where everything goes and plugs into. Basically just start going in reverse of disassembling the head and componets by putting it all back together. Before you go tightening nuts and bolts, make sure what your supposed to torque everything to according to manufacturer specifications. Remember, get the heads machined before putting them back on.

Replacing the head gasket on any vehicle is a long and complicated process, however if you wish to see basic step-by-step instructions go to the related question on the right side of the page "How do you replace a head gasket?"