How to tell when you have blown your head gasket! - Page 2

67GTV · #16 (**permalink**) 11-13-2003, 01:59 AM

Congrats on getting her back together John! Dammit, you made it sound so easy!

I just noticed a couple things that I missed in your previous pics. Is that a fuel pressure gauge? And it looks like you've still got the Spica intake manifold. Did you remove the Spica pump yourself? Using a block off plate? Just curious.

**John M** · #17 (**permalink**) 11-13-2003, 10:32 AM

Hey Kai:

Thanks! Going down to fire her up here in a little while. Well a HG is not the worst thing I can think of. And getting the exhaust manifold on studs instead of bolts saves a bunch of time and frustration. Just don't send me down there to put front springs on!

That is a fuel pressure gauge so I can measure the pressure at the carbs. Also notice that I don't have a inline pressure regulator. I have a low pressure pump above the rear axel and no primer pump. I am running right at 2-3 psi at the carbs and just enough at the fuel filter/pressure sender to make the light go out when I am off the gas and then comes on whenever I step on the gas.

I do have a spica manifold. It's a shankle conversion done by the PO. It is port matched to the head. It does use a block off plate. She used to have SK Racing 40 DCOE/PHH carbs.....made by shankle that were a derivative between Weber and Mikuni for side draft.....basically another copy of weber. But I ditched those suckers for the 45 Webers. If I were doing that Shankle/IAP conversion from Spica to Carbs, I would think about just pulling the head. You end up having to add on so much stuff to the intake manifold, not to mention the bottom nuts on the carbs are a real PIA with the head in the car. I can snap a few pics of the manifold and block off plate if interested.

Best Regards,
John M

max_75 · #18 (**permalink**) 11-13-2003, 11:13 AM

it looks so easy(but i know is not), i hope one day i can do those myself.. in our country, Malaysia, mechanic labour charge is consider cheap, so sometimes, doesn't worth the money and time and RISK to try it myself.

**John M** · #19 (**permalink**) 11-13-2003, 02:55 PM

Hey Max:

Its not as bad as you might imagine. The key is to have a place in which you can do it (i.e. your garage), the metric tools and a good torque wrench, and have a friend to help lift for removing and replacing the head. With the inline 4, we are very lucky in that its not all too complicated. Timing is super easy to setup. Its all well marked, etc. But for a novice, I would suggest some of the repair manuals listed in the new owner thread.

The big benefit for me doing it....and I am not a mechanic.....is that I know its done right. Not half a$$ as we say here in the states. But if good quality trustworthy labor is inexpensive, that may be your best bet.

I decided a long time ago when I got my first Alfa to learn how to do things myself. I knew that many problems could and would reoccur and I don't like to shell out the money for things I can handle. I prefer to shell out money that could be spent on labor for performance upgrades, etc. Plus....I have a second Spider now. And I plan on keeping them for a long time.

Best Regards,
John M

Alfapaulic · #20 (**permalink**) 11-15-2003, 11:34 AM

Wow John, all of this happened in one reading ... I would still be thinking about what to do. The final result is great. I am thinking of the exhaust header for my 76. You are an inspiration!!

Paul

**John M** · #21 (**permalink**) 11-15-2003, 03:59 PM

Hey Paul:

I am not really an inspiration......but rather just as tight $$ as a rusted bolt on an exhaust manifold. You keep that 76 for awhile, and you will be an expert too! HGs are just such a common fix....especially if you jack up the compression on a 25 year old car.

Headers are a great idea, but you really don't see all of what they can add to your performance unless you have done some internals to the motor. Still, they will add to a stock motor, letting her breath more freely. Mine are from IAP. I am not thoroughly impressed with them. Fit was not as good as expected. But going with studs on the head rather than bolts through the manifold makes installation much, much easier.

I would say the most important thing you can do for your 76 is to insure that the spica is working well and that the timing is right on. Makes a tremendous difference when fuel delivery and timing are perfect. I will look forward to seeing some pics of your 76 as you expand its potential.

Best Regards,
John M