4.0 SOHC head gaskets/timing chains

[avid]

Thanks I've got a bunch of plastic razor blades. Ive heard not to use any type of scuff pad on the head gasket sealing surfaces?

Yeah, I found every opinion under the sun. On youtube you can find people using wire wheels to clean them. Not kidding.

I'm not like a 30-year mechanic who has done this hundreds of times so take what I say with a grain of salt. But I did just clean my engine and heads a few months ago and it's all reassembled and running well with no leaks or problems.

 

[avid]

This was one of the videos I sorta picked to follow for cleaning mine.

 

[JJMaine]

Thanks I'll check that out.

 

[JJMaine]

Hey avid, what timing components did you use? Just curious if you want for the complete kit or just the cassettes?

 

[JJMaine]

Has anyone tried using easy off oven cleaner to clean the block and heads?

 

[avid]

Hey avid, what timing components did you use? Just curious if you want for the complete kit or just the cassettes?

I have the OHV.

 

[JJMaine]

Do you guys plug all of the coolant holes in the block before working at cleaning the deck? Because there are a lot of them!

I'm going to try Easy Off oven cleaner, razor blades and then red fine scotch Brite pads for the final clean. I'd like to keep all of the passages as clean as possible (obviously) how to do that?

Also there's a machine shop near me with a great reputation. I'm going to call them tomorrow and if it's cheap enough just have the heads resurfaced. Save me a lot of time and worrying if I know those are good to go. I'll be damned if I want to do this all over again three days after I get the motor back in the truck!

 

[sgtsandman]

I haven't had to do any head work on mine yet. For the smaller holes, foam ear plugs work well but as ling as you make sure to flush all the passages with air or water, you should be fine.

Just so you know, the color of the scotch Brite indicates coarseness. Red being the most coarse, green being medium, and white or gray being the finest. Red is probably fine but I was always taught to use green on sealing surfaces, especially those that use o-rings.

 

[JJMaine]

Got it plugged up pretty good and then I plan to vacuum it out good before I put it back together. Huh, thanks for the info on Scotch Brite pads. I always thought maroon was finer than green lol!

Wonder if I should get some green ones then...

 

[sgtsandman]

Got it plugged up pretty good and then I plan to vacuum it out good before I put it back together. Huh, thanks for the info on Scotch Brite pads. I always thought maroon was finer than green lol!

Wonder if I should get some green ones then...

I would err on the side of caution. I suspect green is above and beyond but I figure smoother is better since it is holding back cylinder pressures well as coolant and oil.

 

[01WHTRNGR]

Okay first question of the day. I'm using the valve spring compressor to take the roller followers out and on 3 of the valves the cam lobes are pushing down on them and not allowing me enough room to push the valve down and remove them (at TDC). Is it okay to spin the engine to relieve pressure off of those valves to get the followers out? Also how to spin it with the harmonic balancer off? E torx on the jackshaft? Thanks for the help good sirs!

Btw, this Ares 15084 valve tool works perfectly for this engine.
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How did you end up spinning the cam shafts?

 

[JJMaine]

I put the harmonic balancer bolt back on the end of the crankshaft (using a 27mm socket as a spacer) and spun it that way. Worked great and allowed me to get all of the followers out.