You have a 1978 trans are you just had the motor built 400 and you got it in the car and was filling up the fluids and it is steaming out the left head gasket how do you change it and what do you need?

Answer 1

To replace the Head Gasket you will need: Head Gasket Water pump gasket Intake Gaskets Hi-temp RTV to seal the valley pan Torque wrench Gasket scraper This will be long but hang on!! Ensure that the engine is at TDC. This will make setting the timing much easier later on. Step one: Remove the plug wires, vaccuum lines, electrical wires, radiator hoses, heater hoses, throttle cable, trans kickdown cable (if equipped), water temp gauge, from the intake and carb. Also remove the valve covers BE SURE TO LABEL WHERE EVERYTHING GOES!!!!! Step two: Remove the header/manifold bolts, the gasket, and the bottom header/manifold bolts (those attaching the exhaust to the header/manifold), remove the plugs from the head (only to ensure you don't break them, and then move the header/manifolds out of the way as much as possible (no need to pull them out) Step Three: Remove the bolts that secure the intake to the heads, as well as the bolts that secure the water pump to the eninge (there are also two bolts that attach to the water pan) remove the water pump, and then the intake. (they are 7/16"), then double check to ensure all electrical connectors, throttle cable, vaccuum lines etc. are removed from the carb and intake. Then remove the intake, you may have to pry ever so slightly in order to get it loose. Step Four: You should now be able to remove the two bolts securing the valley pan (1/2" or 9/16" usually). you will have to carefully pry it loose, as the valley pan is probably sealed with RTV. NOTE: ENSURE THAT YOU DO NOT DROP ANYTHING DOWN INTO THE OIL PAN AFTER YOU REMOVE THE VALLEY PAN!!!! Step Five: Now loosen the nuts that hold the rocker arms down. These bolts only need to be loosend enough to allow you to remove the pushrods. Once all rocker arms are loosend then remove the pushrods, make sure that you remember the order in which they were removed. Step Six: Now you are ready to remove the head. Loosen and remove the bolts holding the head to the block, NOTE: the bolts vary in length, make sure that you remember where they go!. With all the bolts removed pry up on the corner of the head to remove it. When you remove the head, there will be antifreeze that will leak everywhere. also note the location of the two plastic keepers on the gasket Step Seven: Clean the heads. Use a gasket scraper to remove any of the old gasket. be careful not to gouge the head, just remove the gasket. Do the same for the engine block. Also clean up the mess left over from removing the head, to include removing all of the old gaket material Step Eight: Reassembly. With everything cleaned up, place the new gasket on the engine block, make sure that you insert the plastic keepers as well. Then set the head back on the engine, and reinsert the bolts. Follow the recommended steps to torque the head bolts. Reinsert the push rods, and tighten the rocker arm bolts to specs. Apply RTV to the valleypan, and allow it to become takcy before setting it back on the engine, and tightening the bolts. Next install the intake and gaskets, as well as the exhaust manifolds (beware the exhaust manifolds can be a pain to install). Reinstall the water pump as well. Tighten all bolts, reconnect the wires and vaccuum lines, and reinstall the valve covers. Step Nine: Setting the timing. The engine should already be at TDC. Reinstall the distributor and note the location of the rotor. The nearest point on the cap will be #1. From there install the rest of the plug wires and then the cap. Step Ten: Start the enigne, and look for leaks, be prepared to shut off the engine just in case. Finally adjust the timing, and idle speed, and you should be good to go!!!