Replacing Head Gaskets

seabeechief

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Hi All, new to the forum and hope to get my daughters Alero running again.

I am replacing head gaskets on a 3400, and about to pull the heads, but I would like to know if I should insure the the motor is at TDC before I take out the rockers and push rods. Thanks for help!
 
Head gasket update...

Just an update. This motor does not to be at top dead center to remove the heads for replacing the head gaskets. In my case the intire head gasket kit. I have pulled the heads, cleaned the heads, valves, as well as installed new valve seats.

While removing the ehaust manafold coolant poured out of the manafold and coolant was in a couple of cylenders as well. Both head gaskets showed bad signs of burnt gasket. Upper intake gaskets showed bad signs of getting hot and melting. I can send some pics later to show what these problems look like, and what I have done to fix upper and lower head gasket leaks on the 2000 Alero 3400. Thanks for all of the help!:) Seems to be going good!!
 
Head Gasket Update..

Started the 2000 Alero this afternoon and after some tweeking and adjusting the motor started smoothing out running much better after the first time starting the car. Turns out, I had one small leak below the TB because I didnt replace small coolant hose. I had # 2 cylinder wire arching at the spark plug. Also, all the upper manafold bolts was sucking air and needed to be torqued down which realy smoothed the engine out.

Some things I learned. Be sure the motor mount with concave indention faces toward the engine for proper placement. Be sure all wires are pluged in on the coil side. (easy to miss) I used a torque wrench on lower bolts, but not on upper intake. (be sure these are tight or engine will smoke and run very rough) If you find yourself with a broken exhaust manafold stud, use a left handed drill bit with a little penentrating oil. insure you use a punch for center of bolt.(worked really well) Torque the rockers to 124 in lbs. Heads 18 ft lbs.

I didnt replace all the gaskets in the kit, such as the injector and other small stuff. I did clean the lifters, valvs and replaced valve seals. Thanks for all the help here. Great site with lots of info.
 
Will a set of 3,100 heads off Buick century go on a 3400 Oldsmobile Alero
 
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