EA Falcon Head Gasket

[brax]

The time has come(approx 250,000km) to replace the head gasket, and the rocker cover gasket etc as water seems to disappear somewhere and oil leaks out of the rocker cover gasket and the head gasket(both have also gone hard)
Being that I have not done this before, does anyone have some tips. i read a while back that i should buy some new AU??? head bolts even though it's an EA??
Apart from a torque wrench and other general tools, should i have anything specific?? Also is there any particular way i should go about pulling it off? so i lose the least bits?

[Psycho Chicken]

Make sure you have a single hex 14mm socket and a decent breaker bar. Rounding head bolts getting them off is a bastard.

EA-AU head bolts are the same. Make sure you get new ones.

Get the head decked and crack tested (shouldn't be more than $100 at a machine shop).

[old_mate]

also use a steel AU gasket, will be sweet

Been a while since i dont a EA/EB head, is it advisable to use the ED rocker cover gasket instead of the cork EA one? I know I put a rubber one on my EA but dont know if it was a ED part or not. Also, while everything is in bits, I'd think about replacing a probably tired water pump and getting the radiator looked at...it'll probably be stuffed too. Oh and be prepared for timing chain guides to be stuffed as well. Other than that, its a case of pull it apart, and put it back together the same way. A workshop manual is a good idea too

[brax]

why a steel AU gasket? do both the EA and AU use the same size gaskets?

[Walkinshaw]

yep same sizes, AU is a steel gasket, a few more points of compression as well.

a GOOD (and i mean good) 14mm single hex socket is MANDITORY. Accurate torque wrench, good breaker bar, and 1/2 a case of beer should see this job done within a day

[SileNceR]

ea-au headbolts are the same part from ford I think... use au ones anyway.

[shane289]

Au head bolts are bigger around the top than EB fit ok and cost around $60 from Ford, Also get your head checked for cracks and machined

[460cixy]

i used the same bolts no worrys. if you look in the manual you need an angle gauge for final tension . i warmed mine up to operating temp then let it cool down. and re tightend the bolts by feel with a breaker bar. i recomend the use of hylomar spray on the new head gasket ya can get it from super cheap . just shake it well. make sure the head is checked to be straight in a machine shop if you dont have a good straight edge. from my experiance they dont seem to crack just warp. also clean the filter in the chain tensioner.

[brax]

say i have a nice straight edge, how do i check if t's warped, and is taking it to a machine shop really necessary?
also does anyone know of a local head machining shop to cheltenham vic 3192?

[darkfang888]

just done the head gasket on my EAII. Remove the exhaust & inlet manifolds (if they're in the way) remove any coolant/heater tubes, unbolt p/steering pump bracket, unbolt & lift head (don't turn head upside down or you'll lose rocker ends) lift head, scrape off all gasket remnants, replace ALL gaskets using RTV to seal, toruqe to specifications (as described in workshop manual. if you don't have a manual I can give you the sepecifications).

By the way, a straight edge and feeler gauges will you give a good indication of any warpage, but you're better off taking the head to a proffessional regrinder - cost me NZ$45 for a head skim. Excpect about another $15 for them to clean the head.

[darkfang888]

One ore thing - I was losing coolant too, except I lost all the coolant (with a brand new radiator) in about 10 mins. Turned out the head was as crooked as a dog's hind leg, coz the previous owner changed the gasket but didn't skim the head! The thing wasn't sealing and the coolant was going through the head and pouring out the hole in the muffler! Wasn't a big job to fix though, drain/replace oil to get rid of sludge, clean block and head, fix the muffler and replace gaskets and she was mint. took about 3 hours and cost $100 for gasket set. Not expensive or time-comsuming if you know what you're doing.