B230F Head Gasket Replacement

[e777]

I am about to put a used head from my parts car on a recently acquired '93 940 wagon that had a warped head. This is my first time doing this, by the way.

Two questions:
1. Is a gasket sealant generally used with head gaskets? I know sealants are used with water pump and other gaskets, but I was unsure as to the head gasket.

2. Is it advisable to use a thread lock compound on the head bolts?

Thanks!
--Eric
93 940 214k
91 240 235k
90 740 273k
86 740 276k

[billofdurham]

Eric,

Before fitting the 'new' head it may pay to have it checked for warping. My friendly Volvo tech insists that this is necessary on any head removed from a Volvo. You can do it yourself using a straight edge. Also check the head height to see if it has been skimmed at any time. Specs are in the attached:

B230F cylinder head measurements.pdf

(38.33 KiB) Downloaded 638 times

The head gasket should be put in place with the mating faces clean and dry - no sealant.

The head bolts must be clean and lightly oiled - no thread lock compound.

Good luck with this job.

Bill.

[e777]

Thanks very much, Bill.

I particularly appreciate you mentioning the need to check the replacement head for warping, something I would have otherwise skipped.

--Eric

[e777]

So, I am in the midst of surface prep to fit the new cylinder head.

I am having a heck of a time getting the block surface clean. It is one thing to scrape the old gasket off, but quite another thing to get it squeaky clean. I refer to the carbon deposits, which, after repeated soakings with surface primer (aka brake cleaner) and scrapings, refuse to come off. The manual calls for the use of a wooden scraper, but this can't get the toughest spots clean no matter how much you scrape. Any suggestions?

On Youtube I saw a man who appeared to be an experienced mechanic use sand paper to clean the block surface, which seemed rather extreme.!?!

By the way, don't let this happen to you: As I was moving the cylinder head around on my work bench, at some point the mating surface rubbed on a tool or bolt, leaving it slightly gouged in the worst possible place - right on the edge of where the recessed valve area is. Now I will need to get it resurfaced. Lesson learned.


Thanks.