Would I be crazy to attempt to swap in a Greddy head gasket into my SR20 on my own?

I don't have access to a shop, but I feel like maybe I could do it.
The place where I want to get it done wants $600-700, which is alot considering the gasket only costs $200, but I know that is a standard price for this labor.

I have a great deal of experience doing suspension work, and I have replaced the stock turbo and exhaust manifold myself.

I looked at the FSM, and it doesn't look terrible....looks like you have to disconnect all hoses and electrical connections, remove valve cover, remove timing chain cover, set timing to TDC, then loosen the head studs in the correct order...

Also I own a torque wrench for when it comes time to put the head back on


Am I an idiot for even contemplating doing this job on my own?

 

You can do it as long as you know the pattern of tighting the bolts back on along with the tourque. That is the only important thing about doing it.

 

Yeah i mean i have that with the FSM....

Things I am worried about:


screwing up the timing

not having the gasket aligned properly

etc

 

Lets have some confidence! If it doesnt work then take it to get done at a shop.

 

true but this is my daily driver, and i can't afford to not have it working


also, how do you know if it "doesn't work".......it could have something slightly off that gets wacked out weeks later...

I really want to try it, but at the same time, it's like one of THE key parts of making the engine operate properly.


I might just puss out

 

Just Do It

 

DO-IT!

lol.

 

It's the little stuff that I am worried about....

From what I've read, it is very important that the deck of the bottom and the bottom surface of the head be "smooth, but not too smooth"

Since I have no experience, I am worried I won't know how to properly inspect the head and block before reinstalling the new head gasket


Maybe I will just do it and post pics as I go so you guys can help me


I am a puss haha

 

i had the same concers you do. it wasn't until the timing belt went out on my moms quest that i to mess with the whole tdc and alinging of the cams and crank.
trust me it's not as hard as you think. just take you time make sure to follow the tightening sequance and proper torque.

and as far as the surface of the head and block, if your car didn't overheat then it most likely just needs to be cleaned really good.

 

just do it. it will give you some experience.

 

Yeah I should do it I guess...I am 22, and I have a neighbor that is like 28 that has been working on all of his own cars since he was like 17, so he could probably help.

I love taking stuff apart, so I will probably do it......if I had the money/facilities/tools, I would just build engines and take them apart for fun.

Thanks for the encouragement!

 

i'd do it.....and i heard it gives your pokemon 30 extra hit points

 

Do it, not very hard, good learning experience.

 

Make sure you have all the tools, nothing pissis' me off more than not having the right tools and delaying the work.