Head gasket etc..

Post by **Sveedy** » 28 Jul 2020, 08:20

So I have ordered the head gasket set for Sveedy - never done one on a Volvo but I have done them on other vehicles.
Would you recommend doing a seafoam treatment before I remove the head, or just clean things up when I have everything apart ?
Any other recommended things I should do while I'm in there ?

Thanks all !

Post by **volvolugnut** » 29 Jul 2020, 16:27

Consider valve seals and cams seals if you are doing head work. If you do valve work, lap the valves?
volvolugnut

Post by **Sveedy** » 29 Jul 2020, 16:47

Yes it looks like most everything comes with the kit. But if I need a new valve, does that require anything more than taking the burnt one out and installing the new one ? Any shop work ?

Post by **FLXC90** » 29 Jul 2020, 17:09

If you are replacing a valve because it started to burn or chip, then it should be straightforward, If you are changing valves because they hit pistons and bent, or with excessive miles, check the stems/guides.( How much do the valves wiggle) with the springs removed and cleaned.

Post by **erikv11** » 29 Jul 2020, 21:40

I'd definitely replace the valve stem seals, and only with the Volvo branded ones. Can't imagine pulling a head and not cleaning it up before putting it back on. The install is just too much work to do it right, to be putting back on a substandard head.

I have always paid the machine shop to install the valve stem seals and replace the one burnt valve, and had them do a valve job at the same time. Basically the shop disassembles the head, inspects it, probably finds nothing unusual but resurfaces the valves and the head and puts it back together. No need to replace the other valves, or if there is they will tell you. You do need a shop you can trust.

Post by **Sveedy** » 29 Jul 2020, 22:28

Thanks for all the info. ! I will be pulling the head this weekend and hopefully all it will need is cleaning, seals etc. I'll look into finding a local shop and get an idea on what they would charge to do that work, but I think it will be too much. Seems like if you say " Volvo " the numbers go up on general principal. I was planning on doing the seals myself, as it doesn't seam hard to do, and this is an unexpected expense when things are dicey as is. Just need to fab up a spring compressor I saw when looking into this project.

Post by **erikv11** » 29 Jul 2020, 22:53

viewtopic.php?t=71962

Many of the aftermarket valve stem seals have a terrible reputation - puffs of blue smoke within 10k miles. But I hear you, quality durable parts do not come cheap it is a balancing act.

Post by **abscate** » 30 Jul 2020, 04:30

Sveedy wrote: ↑29 Jul 2020, 22:28 Thanks for all the info. ! I will be pulling the head this weekend and hopefully all it will need is cleaning, seals etc. I'll look into finding a local shop and get an idea on what they would charge to do that work, but I think it will be too much. Seems like if you say " Volvo " the numbers go up on general principal. I was planning on doing the seals myself, as it doesn't seam hard to do, and this is an unexpected expense when things are dicey as is. Just need to fab up a spring compressor I saw when looking into this project.

Sveedy

You do want to lap a new valve into the seat, and since the cleanup is most of the time, do them all.

Hunts Machine shop in Schenectady NY puts their service prices on their website for guidance

I want to say a valve job with resurfacing was going to run about $300 plus $70 for Volvo stem seals

Turbo exhaust valves aren’t cheap.

Post by **Sveedy** » 30 Jul 2020, 06:35

So does that mean that the valve seals that come with the head gasket set from FCP are not to be used ? Toss them and buy another set ?

bronco · Post by **bronco** » 30 Jul 2020, 07:15

Sveedy wrote: ↑30 Jul 2020, 06:35 So does that mean that the valve seals that come with the head gasket set from FCP are not to be used ? Toss them and buy another set ?

sure put them in the trash on top of the seafoam