CLICK HERE TO REMOVE THESE ADVERTISEMENTS FOR FREE!
Cadillac
 

Cadillac Forums | Help Us Help You | Advertise | Cadillac Parts | Cadillac Images | Cadillac Store | Cadillac Classifieds

Cadillac Technical Archive | Cadillac Dealers | Cadillac Reviews | Cadillac Dealer Reviews | Cadillac Vendors | Home

Cadillac Owners Group  

Go Back   Cadillac Owners Group > General Discussion > Cadillac Engine Technical Discussion > HT4100 4.1, 4.5, 4.9

HT4100 4.1, 4.5, 4.9 This forum is to discuss the newer aluminum block Cadillac engines.

Cadillac Forums: Doing My 4.9 Head Gasket Looking for Advice on Parts
Reply
 
LinkBack Cadillac Discussion Tools
  #1 (permalink)  
Old 05-29-06, 04:10 PM
jadz's Avatar
Cadillac Owners Fanatic
Cadillac(s): 1992 STS (4.9L, Black on Black)
View jadz's Photo Album
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Casino Cash: $335
iTrader: (0)
Doing My 4.9 Head Gasket Looking for Advice on Parts

Remove this ad
A have been having problems with my cooling system (exhaust gas pushing coolant into the reservoir) and am going to do my head gasket.

Looking on RockAuto.com I see a Head Gasket Kit made by FEL-PRO. Part # HS8753PT4 with a description of "Exh. pipe packing & valve cover grommets not incl.; PermaDry modled rubber valve cover gskts. incl.; Premium valve stem seals incl." and a price of $121.79.

Is this (and my service manual) all that I will need to replace my head gasket? I'm trying to put a list together of what I will need:
  • Head Gasket Kit
  • Torque Wrench
  • 8L Coolant to re-fill the system
  • serpentine belt
  • Water Pump
  • Thermostat
As far as I know the thermostat and water pump have never been replaced, should I replace them? What else will I need, or what else should I do while I'm doing the head gasket.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg HS8753PT-4_TOP.jpg (24.2 KB, 20 views)

Last edited by jadz; 05-30-06 at 07:56 AM.
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
  #2 (permalink)  
Old 05-29-06, 05:13 PM
91TexasSeville's Avatar
Cadillac Owners Connoisseur
Cadillac(s): 2005 STS-V, 1992 Eldorado
View 91TexasSeville's Photo Album
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Near Houston
Age: 59
Casino Cash: $325
iTrader: (0)
Re: Doing My 4.9 Head Gasket Looking for Advice on Parts

Well....since Cadillac has not built the 4.9L since 1995 and yours has the original water pump....ummm...yup! It would be a good idea to replace those parts too (thermostat and pump) along with a new serpentine belt.

Seems like you are on the right track...FSM...plenty of time, tools, and patients, you will do fine.

One side note:
If it is at all possible for you, take the heads to a machine shop to have them checked just to be certain the deck is flat and not warped.

Last edited by 91TexasSeville; 05-29-06 at 05:20 PM.
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
  #3 (permalink)  
Old 05-29-06, 06:25 PM
jadz's Avatar
Cadillac Owners Fanatic
Cadillac(s): 1992 STS (4.9L, Black on Black)
View jadz's Photo Album
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Casino Cash: $335
iTrader: (0)
Re: Doing My 4.9 Head Gasket Looking for Advice on Parts

I assume you are saying that it is worth while taking them to get checked? I can take them to a local engine re-building shop or race shop to have them checked if it is valuable to do so. What type of tool would a professional shop use to measure the head?


When I was having my catalytic converter replaced the tech said that there was a exhaust leak at the front exhaust manifold. Would that be the manifold warped or the head or just the gasket?
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
SPONSORED CADILLAC ADVERTISEMENTS: (Supporting Members don't see these ads):
  #4 (permalink)  
Old 05-30-06, 01:12 AM
illumina's Avatar
Cadillac Owners Connoisseur
Cadillac(s): '98 Buick Regal LS - '91 Caddy Seville - '87 Caddy Seville!
View illumina's Photo Album
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: The Empire...
Casino Cash: $6765
iTrader: (0)
Re: Doing My 4.9 Head Gasket Looking for Advice on Parts

Well, that picture shows an Allante gasket kit, with the exhaust gaskets and the valve cover gromets

Either way, when I got my Fel-Pro kits before, they usually included the aforementioned exhaust and gromet gaskets. I would call the local auto parts store and see what they have to offer, because I also got the complete set for $115 the last time I got one...This included the gromets and all.

As for the heads being warped, it is unlikely that they are, but an easier (read cheaper) way is to take a solid straight edge and a feeler gauge and measure several angles from one side of the head deck to the next. Any value of ~0.006 of an inch or over in variation of the deck means that the heads should be taken in and decked a little bit until corrected to tolerance. If you really want to be safe, then you can take the heads in and have them decked to a little higher of a compression ratio (more performance) and have the valves redone and the heads cleaned up. Otherwise, if the heads check out and they didn't exibit any issues before, then I'm sure they're fine. Also, if there is carbon buildup, then I would suggest that you take them and have the cleaned of the carbon.

As for the exhaust leak, there could either be a hairline crack in the manifold, or a flange is done in. If I recall correctly, the factory never put exhaust manifold gaskets on the heads, so there is a good chance that the manifold is cracked somewhere. When you get the gasket set, I would make sure you find the exhaust manifold gaskets too.

As for the actual procedure of changing the head gaskets, make sure that you follow the FSM procedures to the letter! If you apply the wrong torque, especially to the intake manifold, then you're asking for a load of costly trouble. You do not need to change the head bolts if they all check out alright (use a straight edge), but remember to use some assembly lube or a light coat of oil on the bolts (not the threads in the block!!) and remember to clean up the threads in the block as well as the bolts.

Anything else?
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
  #5 (permalink)  
Old 05-30-06, 07:55 AM
jadz's Avatar
Cadillac Owners Fanatic
Cadillac(s): 1992 STS (4.9L, Black on Black)
View jadz's Photo Album
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Casino Cash: $335
iTrader: (0)
Re: Doing My 4.9 Head Gasket Looking for Advice on Parts

I'm looking through the FSM and trying to find the valve cover grommets without any luck. What are the grommets used for?

The local parts stores want $250 for the gasket kit. I can only assume they had bought these kits before the Canadian dollar started doing well, that's why I have been thinking of ordering the parts from RockAuto.com .
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
  #6 (permalink)  
Old 05-30-06, 04:39 PM
illumina's Avatar
Cadillac Owners Connoisseur
Cadillac(s): '98 Buick Regal LS - '91 Caddy Seville - '87 Caddy Seville!
View illumina's Photo Album
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: The Empire...
Casino Cash: $6765
iTrader: (0)
Re: Doing My 4.9 Head Gasket Looking for Advice on Parts

My apologies, the grommets are for the PVC valve and they are not supplied with the gasket kit Any Cadillac dealership will supply them for about $20, or at least that was the price when I had to replace mine last year. They will (or should) be called PVC valve grommets in your book. I was for whatever reason thinking about the wedges that go in between the intake manifold and the heads; those should be supplied with the gasket kit.

And yes, if the price is cheaper, then go for that!
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply
Tags: , , , ,


Bookmarks

Tags
advice, gasket, head, parts
SPONSORED CADILLAC ADVERTISEMENTS: (Supporting Members don't see these ads):


Cadillac Discussion Tools

Cadillac Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are Off
Censor is ON


» Cadillac Ads
My pledge to the Cadillac Owners community
strutmasters - the suspension experts
cadillac aftermarket products
cadillac aftermarket products
Superior Cadillac - Buy a Cadillac
Lindsay Cadillac
cadillac v-series
automotive concepts
Cadillac Tony
cadillac hid headlights
leather cleaner by leatherique
cadillac shop service manuals
cadillac amsoil
andys auto sport



remove this ad


Registered members do not see this advertisement. Registration is free. Click here to register and remove this advertisement.
cadillac magazine

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:19 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.2
Copyright ©2000 - 2009, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.3.2
cadillacforums.com and cadillacowners.com recognizes that "Cadillac", it's logos and various model names and numbers are registered trademarks of the General Motors Corporation. These terms are used for identification purposes only. cadillacforums.com and cadillacowners.com is not affiliated in any way with the General Motors Corporation, Cadillac or any other company listed herein. All information on this site is the opinion of its members and not the opinion of the site itself. ©2008 Madison Ross Media Group. All rights reserved. Content published on CadillacOwners.com or CadillacForums.com requires permission for reprint. Copyright information


One of the largest message boards on the web !
MADISON ROSS MEDIA GROUP MARKETPLACE
Need products for your Cadillac? Check out your options at the links below:

cadillac performance mufflers | cadillac performance exhaust systems | racing seats | cadillac euro tail lights | cadillac air intakes | cadillac projector headlights | cadillac ground effects | cadillac floor mats | cadillac escalade body kits, hoods and lambo doors | cadillac body kits | cadillac carbon fiber hoods | air suspension kits | air suspension parts | air ride suspension | hyundai genesis forum