[josephsc]

I'm pretty sure it's the headgasket and I'm hoping for nothing more. All the classic signs are there (pushing the car on a hot day on a racetrack, white smoke everywhere, lots of air pressure in the coolant overflow tank, sounds/feels like car's running on three cylinders). BTW, this is for a 968 motor stuffed in a 944 body.

Any tips or any "while you're there" before I start pulling the head off? I should send the cylinder head to a machine shop to get it checked out for straightness, right?

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[benspeeder]

I'd bring it - you'll be so pissed at yourself if you have to pull it off again.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[xrad]

absolutely bring to shop. Really take care cleaning the block as well, no sharp gouges into cylinders!

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[flash]

when i had my shop, i never slapped a head gasket in without first at least checking the head for flatness, and usually did a full valve job while it was off - the few hundred for that work was nothing compared to the time spent taking it on and off and setting everything

having now timed the cams on this car, and dealt with how much of a pain in the butt it was, i would ABSOLUTELY do a valve job if i blew a gasket, even though i am at 48k - no chance i want to have to do it twice

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[josephsc]

Thanks for advice --- I guess I'm looking around for a machine shop in the area. Not sure going all the way for a full valve job, though -- this engine actually got a full valve job 30k miles ago.... Hmm....

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[xrad]

hmmmm....maybe they did not prep the surfaces so well....

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[ds968]

<!--quoteo(post=75644:date=Jul 15 2009, 03:39 PM:name=josephsc)-->QUOTE (josephsc @ Jul 15 2009, 03:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Thanks for advice --- I guess I'm looking around for a machine shop in the area. Not sure going all the way for a full valve job, though -- this engine actually got a full valve job 30k miles ago.... Hmm....<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Joe, if Redwood City is not too far, the machine shop which did my valve job has been used by my mechanic for some 25+ years on the Porsches, MBZs and BMWs heads he sent them. If you want me to get the info for you in the event you don't locate a good shop closer, just send me an email..

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.