Head Gaskets

[mr.t]

('89 TBird LX 3.8)I have tools, shop manual from ford, a good place to work and I'm hoping some time, not a lot of money but who has.I'm going to attemp fixing headgaskets myself and would welcome any info that I will need.Taking heads to a machine shop when I get them off. would like to see more hp, any suggestions?

[Weston B.]

I am certain you have the Ford manual. The part that discusses the maximum amount of allowable milling of the cyl head is.010.I would just like to tell you the shop maximum of the heads is about right (they tend to heat --up and you will be right back where you are now) use ALL new head bolts. Even if some guy says he has done 50 gasket jobs and never replaces all the bolts. Spend the extra money and do ALL of them you will notice the torque sequence has you tighten them down tigher than they will be left.The reason for this is to stretch the head bolts. I also like FEL PRO gaskets for replacement work. If the heads have been milled before and you think yous could be .015 or so don't worry,just keep the ignition timing resonable and you will be good. keep all the stuff (no matter how insignificant) labled and boxed together. I can guarenty that the stuff you know you will remember --you won't. Most important do not repeat--do not get in a hurry. thats it--oh, and follow the instructions no matter how LAME they seem.
Wes :cool: