can u change a head gasket without taking the timing belt completely off?

 

you have to take it off too get it off the timing gears. you would spend more time trying to leave it on then just taking it off.

 

You can ziptie the timing belt to each cam gear. Remove the cam gears from each camshaft, and move them out of the way. Then, you can pull the head without completely removing the timing belt.

 

You can replace the headgasket without removing the timing belt if you use the timing belt de-tensioner tool. Use zip ties to keep the belt on the gears to make sure it doesn't jump a tooth.

 

yea i was thinking of doing it that way, what can i use besides that mistu special tool

 

do i just hold the crank with a 1/2 inch and hit the cam gear bold with an impact?

 

No, you use a crescent wrench (or a regular open end wrench of the correct size) on the hex part of the camshaft. It's hard to explain, but you'll see what I'm talking about when you look at the cams. Looking at it starting from the cam gear end of the cam and going from left to right, the hex is between the second and third lobe. Hold the camshaft in place there, and use whatever you'd like to remove the cam gear bolt.

 

You can use the tool from AMS, which is what I use.

http://www.amsperformance.com/cart/A...mance.com.html

Or I guess you could get some long threaded rod with the same thread as the tool, and just double nut it. Thread size is M8 x 1.25

 

Does it need to be replaced when doing cams.

 

no not at all

 

if you do it this way be carefull the belt doesn't jump a tooth on the crank gear, you're better off removing the whole lot, its not that much more work for the peice of mind.

 

/\ +1

Aaron

 

You do not have to remove the cams to replace your head gasket, just leave them in. The only reason you need to remove cams is to resurface the head. Even then you don't need to mess with the hex portion of the cam, you can remove the cams without removing the cam sensor blade on the exhaust cam. Just remove the housing around the sensor blade and the cam will come off with the housing. This might take a little bit of prying as it is siliconed up to prevent oil leaks. The only reason you should have to remove the cam sprockets or the sensor blade is if you are switching to different cams.

As far as leaving the cam sprockets zip tied to the timing belt.... you will probably want to check your head for being warped so that is not an option. It would be a shame to do all that work just to reinstall a warped head and blow another head gasket.

 

im asuming i have to send the head out to check for warping rite?

 

You could just check it with a straight edge or something you know is flat. Just lay it across the bottom of the head in the center lengthwise and see if you notice space anywhere. My head ended up being bowed in the middle slightly.

Basically if you notice the straight edge or flat object teeter totter on your head that is bad.