 |
|
|
1985-1998 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
 | [Main 9000 Bulletin Board | BBFAQ |
Prev by Date | Next by Date | Post Followup ]
Member Login / Signup - Members see fewer ads. - Latest Member Gallery Photos
Re: Cylinder head gasket replacement questions Posted by bryan [Email]  (#542)  [Profile/Gallery]
(more from bryan) on Tue, 18 Dec 2001 14:40:59
In Reply to: Cylinder head gasket replacement questions, saabaru, Tue, 18 Dec 2001 09:51:34 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
1. What do you all think of the copper gasket from Swedish Dynamics?
Not even close to necessary unless you're approaching 300 h.p.
2. Should I get the copper exhaust manifold gasket from SD?
no
3. What about the spray sealant (seems pricey) from SD? Will any decent gasket sealant work with the copper?
Don't use copper, use Elring brand OEM gasket only, DRY. You can experiment if you want, and if you're doing it yourself, you'll get pretty good at R & R'ing Saab 2.3 cylinder heads.
4. Finally, should I get the head re-done at the time? Is Swedish Dynamics overpriced on this one?
Have your head pressure tested and a LIGHT surface on it from a reputable machine shop in your area. Don't take too much off!!! You're not trying to flatten the head, just giving yourself a nice sealing surface.
I wouldn't waste my time or money on a valve job unless you're at the 200K mark OR unless your head doesn't pressure test well. You'll pay money doing work that isn't necessary to decrease your performance (valve sits lower in the head, hindering airflow)
5. Do I understand correctly that Saab came out with hardened steel balance shaft sprockets, and will they retrofit to my '91?
The early 2.3L's WERE heat treated, but IIRC it was done improperly. Makes sense to me, when I did the head/timing/balance chains, most everything looked pretty good except the balance chain crank gear. They teeth weren't necessarily worn, but appear to be bent. I have a pic but I can't seem to get Photopoint to work for me lately, if you want to see what an OEM balance shaft drive gear looks like after 115K, mail me @ brdavhansen@netzeroNOSPAM.com
6. Anything else I should have done at the same time?
I also replaced the oil pump, crank seal, harmonic balancer, water pump, belt tensioner (worked but it was leaking), idler pulleys. 2.3's are a low oil pressure engine anyway, replacing the oil pump gears gave me an extra 2-3 psi. Some of the items I replaced were not even bad, but I like doing things ONCE, and since the car is new to me, I wanted to KNOW what was new, soooo basically I rebuilt or replaced everything except the bottom end.
Additionaly I did a quick hone on the cylinders, just enough to break the glaze and freshen up the cross hatching on the cylinder walls.
The results? the car PURRRRRRRRRS. Even people who know nothing about cars and have ridden in my car before/after comment on how smooth it's running.
It wasn't cheap! Parts alone were close to two grand, heck, just all the timing/balance components were 800 bux. all OEM, sourced from http://www.thesaabsite.com
posted by 209.244.6...
, Tue, 18 Dec 2001 14:40:59 <-- Viewing This Message, Tue, 18 Dec 2001 15:30:08, Tue, 18 Dec 2001 10:20:27
No Site Registration is Required to Post - Site Membership is optional (Member Features List), but helps to keep the site online
for all Saabers. If the site helps you, please consider helping the site by becoming a member.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
