Legacy head gasket replacement question

[b3lha]

Anybody here ever replaced the headgaskets in a 2.2 legacy (1996 BG7 NA)?

I'm planning to give it a try this weekend. I've been told that it is possible to do it without removing the engine. Can anyone explain the procedure to me or give some hints and tips?

My plan so far is:

depressurize fuel system (done this before)
drain oil and water (done this before)
remove belts (done this before)
remove inlet and exhaust manifolds
remove heads
clean heads and install new head gaskets
put it all back together, using new manifold gaskets
refill oil and water


Is it any more complicated than that?

I've got the whole rebuild kit, but I don't fancy actually dismantling the heads and changing all the oil seals unless I discover any problems when I get it apart.

Sorry for the non-SVX post.

Phil.

[huck369]

Yes they can be done in the car.
Timing belts must come off (you mentioned belts, but just to be sure)
Then the valve coves, then the Cam Carriers THEN the heads.

When pulling the cam carriers the rocker arms will fall out, try to keep them in the correct order for re-assembly, as it's best so the wear patterns will match up.
Put some bearing grease on the contact ponts during re-assembly to hold then in place till the cam carriers go back on.

Other than thet it's a pretty straight forward head gasket job....not that they are any fun

[svx_commuter]

De-torque the head bolts in steps similar to what is done when installing the head bolts. This will help to avoid distortion of the heads and block.