Replacing 302 head gasket

[AlseaAssassin]

Well I've determined that I need to change out my head gaskets on my 302. I was wondering how hard it is to do yourself? I'm pretty good with mechanical stuff and would like to give it a try but I'm hesitant since it's a boat engine and who knows what block/head configuration it has. Pretty sure the heads are hydrolic and not mechanical but the idea of adjusting every single valve seems a little intimidating. Anybody ever attempted it?

[riverhawk]

Well I've determined that I need to change out my head gaskets on my 302. I was wondering how hard it is to do yourself? I'm pretty good with mechanical stuff and would like to give it a try but I'm hesitant since it's a boat engine and who knows what block/head configuration it has. Pretty sure the heads are hydrolic and not mechanical but the idea of adjusting every single valve seems a little intimidating. Anybody ever attempted it?

[riverhawk]

One thing I will say is mark all the push rods and put them back in the same spot. Most of the ford rocker arms are not adjustable also get new head bolts the ones out side the valve cover do rust away most time you can drive a metric socket over it, to get it out. really not to bad of a job to do.

[baitsauce]

Its a piece of cake. Pretty much like you would do in an automotive application. Do not hurry, take your time.

Make sure ALL of the coolant is drained off. If you have no reason to take out the lifters then DON'T! I have noticed on taking apart Fords a lot of times the push rods are different lengths. I know this from expierence. Once I found four, yes 4 different length push rods in a 351 that had never been opened since it left Detroit. (Ford's better ideas I guess :shrug: ) Just make sure to note which push rod came out of whaich hole, so when you put it all back together make sure they go in the same holes they came out of.

Be sure to scrape the mating surfaces so they are as clean as possible. Really fine sandpaper or crocus cloth and brake cleaner works well.

Take the head bolts to the wire wheel and clean them up like new. Use an appropriate sized tap and chase the threads in the block to get them as clean as possible.

Be sure to use the appropriate gaskets. This is not a place to cut corners. DO NOT SKIMP. Get the best ones money can buy. Be sure to set them on correctly. There is an up and down side to them. Then with no sealant set the head on. However, lubricate the bolts with a little gorilla snot like this:


http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/gorillasnot.jpg



Then turn them in finger tight.

Use a high quality click type torque wrench tighten the bolts incrementally in the order the torque specs call for. (Usually working from the center out.) By incrementally I mean tighten them in stages. First half the torque called for then 75%, then 90%, then 100%. Before going to the next stage go through all the bolts in order until they stop moving, or more accurately stop tightening. On the final torque come back about a day later (if possible) and retorque. You'd be surprised how often they will tighten further.

After installing the intake, go ahead and do the push rods. Make sure the cam is sitting so the valve is closed and just adjust it per the book. Or you can just install them enough so they are in the neighborhood and crank it up and do a dynamic adjustment. Which is in my opinion the best and fastest way.

As Riverhawk says most Ford rocker arms are not adjustable, however, IF they are hydraulic you can adjust them when the engine is ruinning (that is dynamic). Simply loosen the rocker arm nut until they rattle like hell. Then tighten to where they stop rattleing and give it a half turn more, then move on to the next valve. Be aware it can be messy, but you can get it done in a hurry. Years ago I picked up a set of clips made by Edelbrock (I think it is) that goes over the top of the push rods to deflect the oil while you adjust.

Let it cool off, install the rocker arm (or valve) covers and enjoy your newly torqued heads. :meme:

Good luck!

[AlseaAssassin]

Muchos Gracias!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!