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Head Gasket Install On Rb26 - How Hard Is It? Diy?

Got Boost?

By Got Boost?,
in Engines & Forced Induction

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Got Boost? Experienced

Got Boost?

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Hey guys, as the title states i'm looking at a head gasket for my GTR. I am wondering how feasible this is to perform yourself? I have replaced the standard turbo's for aftermarket items myself, and also installed injectors etc so i am not a complete novice when it comes to the motor... If you take it off correctly and torque everything up to the correct settings is it a fairly straight forward process or is it definitely something best left to the experienced mechanic?

Thanks guys!

Angus Smart Grand Master

Angus Smart

Posted
Posted

should be able to do it, one of the last head bolts will stay in the head tho as the cam blocks it from coming out. (i found anyway)

if you follow the manual you should not have a problem, make sure you undo all the bolts the right order, and torque them back up in the right order too.

there is a fair bit of work involved tho.. may the force be with you!

badgtr34 Community Regular

badgtr34

Posted
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yeah look dude.. have fun! as you would know, its not a holden 308 or anything, its actually a real complex motor to work around! aftermarket parts yeah there are ok to work with, but pulling everything apart and putting all back together, all those hoses and wires etc! its a bit of a challenge i would say. if your confident, then i wouldnt hold you back. but if your sceptical, well, maybe think about it a little more before you start taking it apart and then say, sh*t, i cant do it cos then your in trouble! good luck champ

MBS206 Grand Master

MBS206

Posted
Posted

It's a bit of a flamin mongrel of a job, that's all I'll say...

Mines in pieces at the moment (RB25/30) and I'm not looking forward to putting it back together... If you f**k one thing up... You gotta rip it all down to that point...

Got Boost? Experienced

Got Boost?

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Yeah i can't say i am super confident.. i do have a workshop manual that i have read through and it does seem doable, i just don't want to screw something up and end up having to pay for it to be done again +repairs haha..

MBS206 Grand Master

MBS206

Posted
Posted

Just think, when you pull it down, you'll have to pull the dump pipe off, then it's usually easiest to remove the turbos, remove exhaust mani, undo everything that attaches to the head or inlet manifold (Pipes, and electricals)

And then undo the head from the block, watch for scraped knuckles or elbow here... I smashed my elbow hard on the guard... :(

You'll also have to take all the timing gear off the front of it, which, in the end means the radiator has to come out, fan off, bottom belts all off, harmonic off, just to get your timing back on.

While the heads off, check the block is true flat, and get the head skimmed.

Then you have to bolt it all back on.

Have fun, it's a big task.

Got Boost? Experienced

Got Boost?

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Just think, when you pull it down, you'll have to pull the dump pipe off, then it's usually easiest to remove the turbos, remove exhaust mani, undo everything that attaches to the head or inlet manifold (Pipes, and electricals)

And then undo the head from the block, watch for scraped knuckles or elbow here... I smashed my elbow hard on the guard... :P

You'll also have to take all the timing gear off the front of it, which, in the end means the radiator has to come out, fan off, bottom belts all off, harmonic off, just to get your timing back on.

While the heads off, check the block is true flat, and get the head skimmed.

Then you have to bolt it all back on.

Have fun, it's a big task.

Well now you put it like that... i'm out! lol.. id rather stab myself in the eye with a pencil then go through that every day after work for weeks :(

Julz89 Community Regular

Julz89

Posted
Posted

the first time u usually do a head gasket it seems triky but if u put ur mind to it take ur time mark everythin and keep all your bolts marked etc etc its not that bad, i havnt done one on a gtr but i have done alot of other cars (mainly falcons) but yer end of the day its up to you if u feel confident do it.

Cartman Rising Star

Cartman

Posted
Posted

Ive done it before with a rb26 in a car that had alot wider engine bay than a gtr so it was a pain in the ass but still relitively easy(than again im alot more mechanically minded than most).. if you have access to a hoist were you can simply drop the whole lot out from underneath and have it sitting on the ground while the car stays up in the air.. you could get it done in a solid day or 2 however it would be an absolute nightmare to do it while the motor is still in the engine bay if your confident attempt it.. if your hessitating get someone else to do it or just wait till the headgasket blows before you install a metal head gasket, the standard items can put up with quite alot of punishment before they let go.

GTRsean Grand Master

GTRsean

Posted
Posted

Unless you blew the HG, I wouldn't replace it until you build the engine or pull it out. Not worth the hassle when they are pretty tough from factory. Believe me when I say they are good lol.

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