Should I replace head gasket s ?

[jsteele22]

So I bought an EG33 engine with about 120k miles. The engine was said to be running smoothly before it was pulled, was very dirty but had no signs of leakage from HG area. Comression is 150x6, and oil and coolant looked clean.

I've got the engine cleaned up pretty well and on a stand indoors. I plan on getting an OEM gasket/seal kit and replacing as many as are practical (as well as water pump and timing belt.) But my big dilemma is : should I change the head gaskets ? All signs indicate that they have not failed, the only reason to replace them now would be to save work and $$ later.

Also, can someone tell me : Is it okay to re-use head bolts, or must they be replaced each time ?

[cdigerlando]

Originally Posted by jsteele22

So I bought an EG33 engine with about 120k miles. The engine was said to be running smoothly before it was pulled, was very dirty but had no signs of leakage from HG area. Comression is 150x6, and oil and coolant looked clean.

I've got the engine cleaned up pretty well and on a stand indoors. I plan on getting an OEM gasket/seal kit and replacing as many as are practical (as well as water pump and timing belt.) But my big dilemma is : should I change the head gaskets ? All signs indicate that they have not failed, the only reason to replace them now would be to save work and $$ later.

Also, can someone tell me : Is it okay to re-use head bolts, or must they be replaced each time ?

I wouldn't replace it unless necessary.

[svxfiles]

Originally Posted by cdigerlando

I wouldn't replace it unless necessary.

What he said!

[Manarius]

EG33's don't eat HG's like the Phase I EJ25's do. I wouldn't do HG's unless you absolutely need to.

[jsteele22]

Survey says :


No new HGs for me.

Thx

[svx_commuter]

I think you may want to do the HG's. Depends on how long you want to keep the SVX how many miles you will drive. If you got the time and $ I think it is worth it, if you want to keep the SVX.

When you get the front oil pump off you may want to push up and down on the crank and indicate the movement. This is the bearing clearance in the crank bearings. Lets you know if the engine is worn.

I would replace the valve cover gaskets and rear engine seal, covering inside and out with a thin layer of silicone grease to prevent oxidation and improve life.

Replacing the vacuum lines would be a good idea as well as intake manifold gaskets, TB, EGR cleaning, air valve.

What happened to the old engine?
Was the compression cold or hot? haha

[jsteele22]

Originally Posted by svx_commuter

I think you may want to do the HG's. Depends on how long you want to keep the SVX how many miles you will drive. If you got the time and $ I think it is worth it, if you want to keep the SVX.

When you get the front oil pump off you may want to push up and down on the crank and indicate the movement. This is the bearing clearance in the crank bearings. Lets you know if the engine is worn.

I would replace the valve cover gaskets and rear engine seal, covering inside and out with a thin layer of silicone grease to prevent oxidation and improve life.

Replacing the vacuum lines would be a good idea as well as intake manifold gaskets, TB, EGR cleaning, air valve.

What happened to the old engine?
Was the compression cold or hot? haha

Well, I don't have an SVX, just the engine. Bought it from a slvage yard -- the car was (cosmetically) totalled, so they parted it out. I'm gonna put it (fingers crossed) in a Porsche 914. It's gonna be a "for fun" car - I'm not gonna put tons of miles on it.

[TomsSVX]

do the HG. As long as the engine didn't overheat much the surfaces should still be straight. This means it is pretty simple, Remove the heads and old gaskets, clean surface areas thoroughly and reinstall as the service manual requires... might want to pick up new head bolts too, it is always good to get new ones instead of using old ones

Tom