Thursday, June 2, 2011

I am changing the head gasket on a cavalier and?

Yes, I am a chic who usually kicks butt on working on cars but not this time...



I threw all of the push rods into a bucket of gas to clean them. I felt kind of stupid immediately...knowing that in an 89 cavalier those push rods have been wearing in the same spots for many many years. This is the 2nd time I have changed the gasket (first time I needed a new head too---blah) and the last time I had the good sense to keep the push rods and rocker arms together. Anyway, how big of a deal is this really? My concern is the motor being noisy or of course having engine trouble..but how much trouble could I anticipate?I am changing the head gasket on a cavalier and?Well hon, when disassembling an engine you have to place the parts on a order. Some parts can be reused like push rods. A quick inspection will tell you. The worst part is, did you marked them at least? It might be ok but the they have wear patterns and mixing them up and place them back on the wrong spots could cause premature wear.



Cleaning with Gasoline is not recommended (actually Gasoline was invented as a solvent). But it will not blow up your engine. Way back in the earlier days of Aviation, there was such thing as a Dilution System that dumped some fuel in the crank case of an Aircraft Piston Engine to make the oil thiner when the engine stopped in freezing temps. Once the engine cranked the fuel will evaporate due to the heat. Some times caught on fire... is not longer in use that system ;-)



The point is, that you need a good amount of fuel to happen, a part with some residue of Gasoline will not blow up. 1st you need oxygen and number too, the oil rushing through it will clean it on the spot.I am changing the head gasket on a cavalier and?Rods are pretty cheap. Buy new ones - all perfectly the same - problem solved.



But first, I'd try the old ones - they may be just fine....



ps: don't use gas to clean with... it goes boomI am changing the head gasket on a cavalier and?you can tell witch way is up by the push rod guide wear. then inspect balls for chiping or wear . dont see any damage, i would reuse. new push rods are only 2-3 dollars a piece, if you have damaged ones. good luckI am changing the head gasket on a cavalier and?You wont have a problem at all. The difference in the length of the rods is not even worth talking about. As long as none of them are bent, just whack them back in and let the automatic adjustment of the hydraulic cam followers take care of any differences.I am changing the head gasket on a cavalier and?by mixing up push-rods the worst that can happen is that you will have to go back and adjust again later, length is important! rule of thumb is longer push-rod goes with longer rocker. if you think they are bad look at the center hole if there is a noticeable difference from smallest to biggest then replace them as far as top and bottom they are the same, and in case your curious I've been building performance engines for over 12yrsI am changing the head gasket on a cavalier and?there shouldnt be any trouble just check them to see if any are bent