iBoost

Im not sure if this is the correct place to ask my question, but does anyone have a diy head gasket replacement?

boostaddict2

its pretty simple. remove the intake manifold and the headers. take off the valve cover, take off the bolts inside the head holding on to the block. pull it off and send it to a machine shop to get resurfaced. and now all you would really need is the torque specs and bolt pattern. and put everything back together

iBoost

I started removing the header and manifold but they arent coming off. Thats why I was wondering if theres a thread that shows where all the bolts and nuts are, so I dont have to find out the hard way

ScarfaceThe91

Lefty loosey, righty tighty. Anybody can take apart and reassemble anything with this.

JMCFab

I'd suggest spraying it with copper spray before you reassemble. The copper spray will help fill in any fine imperfections in the head/block surface.

iBoost

Thanks I'll do that. Any other good tips/suggestions?

iDrift

Just find the bolts/nuts holding the intake manifold on and unscrew them.

iBoost

thanks Einstein

(Adam)

The bottom bolts for the IM can be a little hard to see and get a socket on but they're there. For the exhaust manifold (header) CAREFULLY remove the bolts for the heatshield and note there's a lower heatshield (<~ Should be, what year is your car?) Valve cover is easy enough, once you get it off you shouldn't have a problem getting your way through bolts and removing the head.

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Quote:

Originally Posted by brontosaurus Whackamole roadster.

iBoost

Any more tips or recommendations? I cant seem to take off the intake manifold.
Heres some pics of what I took off so far





And Im pretty sure I have to take this off, right?

spitefulcheerio

Thats the egr tube......gotta remove that

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Muzdaman

removing the intake manifold is easier with the head off.

ohsixspeedsix

Intake mani has 4 bolts and one nut on top and 2 nuts and 2 bolts on the bottom for a total of 9 if that helps. Plus the support bracket. Gasket might be holding it stuck. A few taps with a rubber mallet should do the trick. I am rebuilding mine right now so any other ?s pm me and ill try to help out.

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Phung018

take off the intake mani after you pull off the head.

then put it back on before you put the head back on.

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ohsixspeedsix

This ^ definitely helps a lot lol.

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Ron-PC

[QUOTE=iBoost;1222759]Any more tips or recommendations? I cant seem to take off the intake manifold
[/QUOTE

This should help

]http://www.miata.net/garage/manifold/index.html

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Phung018

resurfaced head = peace of mind.

not exactly the easiest job for a noob but you can get it done.
just make sure you get little baggies for your bolts and label them so you don't forget.
im assuming this is going to take you a while.

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iBoost

Wow thanks for all the response! Well I've never done a head gasket, hardest job I've done was replace my transmission on my Acura rsx. I guess I'll just remove the head with the manifold. Reason for doing this is because the car overheats quickly, and there's white smoke coming from exhaust as soon as the car starts.

Phung018

http://www.miata.net/garage/torque.html

look there for torque specs.
get a good torque wrench.

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phillyb™

+1 on removing the head with the im attached.

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iBoost

So Im pretty sure this bad. Took the valve cover off and found the intake cam to have this rust? spots. Im guessing this is bad?

Twibs415

is it smooth or pitted and rough. no homo? anyways. that engine looks pretty nasty it could just be varnish build up. someone didnt change the oil as needed.

iBoost

Yes it feels pretty rough..

1vicissitude

Definitely remove the IM with head, I just pulled mine today for a new intake manifold. Shittiest thing I've done so far in may. Could not get my damn tools in with my big dumb hands. Had to go gloveless n now I'm all sliced to hell. F that IM.

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Twibs415

cams are toast then. time to go shopping.

oce420

I am also working on this job. I took out my spark plugs and cranked the motor, had coolant shooting up out of my motor.. I am hoping its a head gasket and not a cracked head


Here is a helpful link I found on a DIY head gasket replacement. It's the last one on the bottom of the website:

http://www.mazdabg.com/ftp-uploads/Mazda/--Repair%20Instructions--/323,%20626,%20929,%20Miata,%20Millenia,%20MX3,%20M X6,%20Protege,%20RX-7/7920CH03_Cylinder_Head.htm

estabahn

You could follow the protege instructions. But if it were me, and I was a noob, I'd want to know that I was gonna to be able to actually put the damed thing back together. Pick up a copy of the Enthusiasts Workshop Manual by Rod Grainger.