3.8 head gasket removal

[jim]

This is for NA 1994 Bonneville w/ 185k miles on it. Currently leaking oil.

I'm doing a head gasket change next week-end. If after removing
everything connected to the head and removing the head bolts, do I need
any tool to lift the head off?

Will the push rods stay or goes with the head?

Any info you guys can give, I would appreciate very much.

Thanks,

Jim

[DeathRat]

"jim" <jimclemente@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:3EF9597E.6090907@yahoo.com... This is for NA 1994 Bonneville w/ 185k miles on it. Currently leaking
oil. I'm doing a head gasket change next week-end. If after removing everything connected to the head and removing the head bolts, do I need any tool to lift the head off? Will the push rods stay or goes with the head? Any info you guys can give, I would appreciate very much. Thanks, Jim
Well I just replaced the head gasket on my 92 SE 3800 NA engine due to a
burnt out valve. I can tell you that no real special tools are needed, but
a whole lot work & patience sure is! Just about everything has to either be
disconnected or taken out of the engine compartment to get those darn heads
off too! Plus, the old head bolts are NOT reuseable either!

As for common oil leaks, it's usually just the lower intake manifold or
valve cover gaskets that leak oil though. The head gasket when fails
usually leaks coolant.

--

Sincerely, Alan Ralston
--
GM Partsman for a Pontiac Dealership
Administrator/Founder of Bonneville Attitude
www.bonnevilleattitude.com
Owner of Pure Performance Fever (A Division Of Bonneville Attitude.Com)
www.bonnevilleattitude.com/store/
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Home Page: http://www.geocities.com/deathrat64/DeathRatz.html
http://members.cardomain.com/deathrat
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[jim]

GMdude,

I have a service manual but this is the first time doing this and too
much information is better than not enough.

Jim

GMdude wrote: Jim, If you don't know if you can lift the heads off without any tools, and don't know if the rods stay, then you should not be doing this job. Don't you have a service manual? If you are pulling the heads for an oil leak, it might be a mistake. The 3800 engine has not been known for oil leaks at the head gaskets. But heck, knock yourself out. GMdude