I strongly recommend the Saab engine manual. It's nice to have an "expert" with some photos handy at 1:00 AM...

Get the head resurfaced and replace the valve seals. I got a valve job while the head was out - not that it really needed it.

You will want a way to secure the timing chain while the head is out. I strung it to the underside of the hood with 2 bungee cords. During re-install (I did this solo - big BIG pain) you can detach one of the cords and pass it through the head, get everything in place, and detach the second cord and throw it. That way, the chain is always secured.

To move the engine by hand, jack up the passenger side and leave the wheel on and put the tranny in 5th gear. Now, you can turn the road wheel easily by hand to get your timing marks lined up.

Timing marks! There aren't any!! TDC is when piston number 1 is at the top AND the woodruf key for the crank pulley is up. There is NO WAY to otherwise tell once the cams are off.

I wire brushed the tops of my pistons shiny with penetrant. Garage later said 1 cylinder was down on compression due to stuck rings. Don't think I would do it again.

A can of compressed air is handy for cleaning out the head bolt holes in the block and the cylinder bores prior to re-ass'y.

Have the machine shop where you take the head make two guide pins from old head bolts. They can cut the top of the bolt off, chamfer the new edges, and cut a flathead screwdriver slot in the new end for removal. VERY helpful.

Have patience with the chain tensioner - I dropped the tiny spring under the car (on my essentially gravel driveway) at 1:00 AM. Took :45 minutes to find. I was pretty pissed/elated.

It's daunting but do-able. I did mine in three days, outside, at night. I'd suggest getting a well lighted garage!!!

Good luck and remember - if you get it right the first time, you don't really learn anything.

Ludwig

posted by 68.164.255...

• Oh, Joy--Head Gasket Time!, Joe98, Thu, 5 Jan 2006 13:43:29
  • Re: Oh, Joy--Head Gasket Time!, rob , Sat, 7 Jan 2006 17:52:16
  • Re: Oh, Joy--Head Gasket Time!, Donald Lipke, Fri, 6 Jan 2006 08:32:12
  • Re: Oh, Joy--Head Gasket Time!, Donald Lipke, Fri, 6 Jan 2006 08:09:03
  • Some advice - long - heart racing again., CL9000, Fri, 6 Jan 2006 07:12:44 <-- Viewing This Message
    • Timing marks are on flywheel, David Ingram, Sat, 7 Jan 2006 11:07:26
    • I like your guide pin advice., Erik, Fri, 6 Jan 2006 08:04:03
      • Pins already there...on 91 9kt at least, BrianZ, Fri, 6 Jan 2006 08:51:19
    • TDC with DI and auto tranny?, Joe98, Fri, 6 Jan 2006 07:59:32
      • TDC, CL9000, Fri, 6 Jan 2006 12:02:49
        • additional TDC detail, Erik, Mon, 9 Jan 2006 10:20:56
  • Re: Oh, Joy--Head Gasket Time!, Erik, Thu, 5 Jan 2006 14:37:43
  • Re: Oh, Joy--Head Gasket Time!, Craig, Thu, 5 Jan 2006 14:09:06
    • Re: Oh, Joy--Head Gasket Time!, Abusot, Fri, 6 Jan 2006 07:02:18
      • I tried that a year ago..., Joe98, Fri, 6 Jan 2006 07:52:59
        • Re: car driving fine, Donald Lipke, Fri, 6 Jan 2006 18:41:08

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