I'm leaking oil from both my head gasket as well as my cylinder gasket.  I have the parts and after asking how much it would be to have a shop do it I have decided to do it myself!  Has anyone ever replaced these???  I know its a really long job but aside from pulling the motor first does anyone have any suggestions... tips... helps... anything???  Just looking for some friendly advice for my oil monster!!!

Thanx

Well I have never done any work on the engine of the Blue Beast but I have helpped rebuild a small block chevy. The one thing I know about gaskets is that you put some sticky stuff on the head to keep the gasket in place. Then you put the part on top of it evenly (you don't put it on sideways is what I'm trying to say). After that it is imperative that you do not over tighten the bolts or you just screwed your gasket and you might as well start over.

I guarentee you that other people on the board can give you a more detailed and all round better description than what I said, but I'm just telling you what I know. And I also wanted to be the first to post

but basicly I am  :dunno:

it'a a saturday job if you've never done it before.  you don't have to remove the engine from the frame, the head and cyls will come off they are just a pain to wiggle out. (that's why the frame is bent at a angle if you look at it with the tank off.) other than that just follow the clymer and you will be fine.  if you have any questions though don't be afraid to ask, the only dumb question is the one not asked.

dave are you feeling ok??

no I ran out of coke around 3 so I had to swithch tro screwdrivers

Yep leave the motor in the frame. The vent will need to be removed then the valve cover. The head is a tight fit to remove but it will come out.

Make sure you stuff a rag in the cam chain slot. Sucks having to search through the bottom cases for dropped parts. Damn head nuts and washers can get slippery. The washers are brass so no magnet.

Make sure you have a torque wrench and torque the head in the proper sequence. Numbers are cast into the head next to each stud hole. A warped head would be bad.

There are 4 o-ring/washers on the top of the cylinders. Do you have new ones as well?

The hardest part is setting the timing back. Not difficult but takes patience. Follow the manaul and you will be just fine. Having a digital camera handy helps with the "where does this go?".

so the torque needed is the number on top of the head?  If so I've learned something very new!  Thanx

No!  

The order in which to tighten the cylinder head bolts is marked on the head.
It should be done a little at a time in the order marked to avoid warping the head.

bump

you havn't finished it yet?