91 Sundance Head Gasket

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Bigbng

Inactive
Hi Shade Tree Mechanics.
Got myself a freebie, 91 Plymouth Sundance 4 dr, w/ hatchback in really excellent condition. Original owner, meticulously maintained, new tires, rotors, muffler etc. but the head gasket blew on it, and he went and bought a new car rather than spend any more $ on it. My question is, since this car is only valued at 750-1000 $ where I live, is it worth it to spend the time and money & on fixing it (if I do the work myself) and turn it around for a couple of bucks, or should I just curbside sell it, as is and get a little less than I would have scraping my knuckles? Head gasket is only about 80$, but if the head is warped for some reason, I will certainly need to send it out to have it milled.
Your comments are much appreciated.
 
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DARKSTAR

Contributing Member
Go for it. Easy job to replace. Havent had to many with warped heads unless it had been really hot. If you do it and see cracks between the valves in the head do not worry, does not cause problems for engine. Check for cracks in between water jacket and combustion chamber
 
WFK

WFK

Senior Something
When you get the head milled, the shop might also have a fixture to check for cracks. Or they may be able to check for cracks first.
 
B

Bigbng

Inactive
How about something like putting the cleaned head on a flat pane of glass with some water between the head and the glass. Would you be aqble to see from underneath if there were any areas where the water was displaced, which would indicate that it was warped?
In the early 80's, I had a little Honda Civic that jad a head gasket leak. I took the head off, scraped the old gasket off, and went over it witha smooth metal file.
Once I was done, an old mechanic suggested I clean the engine with 1 this mixture - 3 quarts of motor oil, 1 quart Mr. Clean, ran it, until it got warm, then changed the oild to 100% motor oil. He told me this would get rid of any foreign objects in the crankcase. That car ran until the body literally fell apart, never any more engine problems. I might try it with this one too, seeinjg as I don't have too much to lose but my time, and the cost of a gasket.
 
Ought Six

Ought Six

Membership Revoked
This is kinda wierd, because I was just given a '92 Sundance hatchback. It needs new MacPhearson strut cartridges, a valve cover gasket and a few other minor things. Otherwise, it is in excellent shape.

If you are going to do the labor involved in pulling the head and the vehicle has more than 60,000 miles on it, you would be silly not to take it to a machine shop and have the valves done and the head magnafluxed & checked for 'trueness'. While you have it apart, you should also check out the expected life on the timing chain/belt, and how many miles your timing chain has on it.
 
B

Bigbng

Inactive
Ought Six:

I will definitely be replacing the timing belt, the car is in pristine condition, just a very little surface rust. The original owner who I got it from took care of it, and had the body oiled regularly.

Do you have any idea why the head gaskets are so prone to failure on there cars?

Usually a blown head gasket is an indicaton that something went wrong, again, original owner went and bought another car rather than spend any more money on repairs to this one.

I've been asking around, and head gasket failure is pretty much no surprise to any mechanic I talk to.

Haven't got one yet, but do you know if the Haynes / Clymer books describe replacing head gaskets?

Thanks for the info.
 
Ought Six

Ought Six

Membership Revoked
BN:

I would assume that any Clymer or Chilton's book is going to cover head gasket replacement. I have never seen a book of that type that did not explain such a common repair.

As to why head gasket failure is so common on that motor, I do not know. I hope they just used lousy head gasket material, because that would mean the replacement of the head gasket would solve the problem. If it is some inherent design flaw in the engine, that would suck.

Here is a good page with info on the Sundance:

http://auto.consumerguide.com/auto/used/reviews/full/index.cfm/id/2090
 
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DARKSTAR

Contributing Member
Head gaskets go out in these and most cars built with aluminum heads and cast iron blocks, expansion rates of the metals shear the gasket material. Make sure when you are done and cooling system is filled BLEED air from system, Plug is on top of thermostat housing otherwise engine will overheat again.
 
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Bigbng

Inactive
Geeze I'm gonna be a pro by the time I'm finished with it.....thanks for the info DARKSTAR.

This forum is great, actually the entire TB2K family is great. This is what I like about the members, always willing to help, offer their opinions and suggestions.

Thanks again everyone.
 
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