Hi there,

I'm new to this forum and am hoping to educate myself more about replacing head gaskets on a 1991 montero with 200k that the previous owner overheated. It runs great but is drinking coolant so it's time to replace the HGs.

I've searched this forum (and google) for a page that contains information about how best to tackle the project. I do have a Haynes manual and have done Subaru DOHC engines before, but I'm new to Mitsubishi and would like to know what to look for/parts recommendations/tips or tricks. I did notice that some owners have replaced their crank pulley bolt, which is something I wouldn't have guessed but is good to know. I haven't had any luck finding much useful info for HG replacement so if anyone can suggest a page or site I'd be grateful.

I am a photographer and writer, so I plan to document this process myself and post the results on "the wire" to help the next person along.

Thanks

I'll be doing mine over summer break.
links to the FSMs:
http://www.mitsubishilinks.com/

Welcome to the forum <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Download the 89 manual for your truck.

Read the post on "how to search". Make sure you set the time interval to 7years, and search only the mitsubishi tech forum. I suggest a post called "Bob's 3.0 engine" by FrankR for the most info in one place. You can't go wrong following Frank's advice.

The torque for the head bolts has changed to 80ftlbs, hot or cold.

Welcome from another Zonie (but I've only been here since '86).

Sounds like your're going to be doing a fairly common tear-into. You might also want to consider replacing the valve guide seals, as they are common wear items on the heads and will keep it from smoking at idle as the mileage increases.

May also be time to replace the timing belt, too? If so, do a search on that topic and follow everybody's advice on the multivarious parts that go along with it. Many of the folks on here will probably suggest that quite a few of the parts be genuine Mitsubishi, while some of them are acceptable to obtain on the aftermarket.

Once you're done, you'll be good to go for quite a while. Nice to have another AZ person on here.

Monte3 is in Clarkdale. You may want to do a user name search and contact him. He's done this exact job before a couple of times and may have some first hand advice. Plus he's a great guy.

John B.

Thanks much for the manual info and torque correction. I downloaded the manual and looked it over. That will definitely help. I'll take a look at FrankR's page too.

thanks for the link!

Thanks Johnny B, you're not too far away. I'm going to do this in Phoenix, it's good to know you're in town!

Thanks for the valve guide tip, I'll be having the heads gone through at a machine shop so I'll ask them to replace those.

Definitely doing the timing stuff too and water pump while in there.

And thanks for the tip about Monte3, I was hoping to find another Zonie with some head gasket experience who I might be able to talk to so thanks!

That's what we're here for, Brother. Let the AZ Crew know if there's anything we can help you with.

John B.

Im in the middle of this project right now as well.Found my heads were warped around .007 so had them milled flat at about $200.Bought a Felpro head kit at Advanced for $145 plus a cranshaft seal kit for $12 timing belt looks new as does waterpump.Intake was the hardest part of teardown at least with big ole paws some very tight quarters on bracket on backside of plenum.Should have it done this weekend so if you need any other tips let us know.

Thanks for your post W8. It's good to know what you've spent and about the intake. I'm getting started on mine today.

Two things I'm unsure about: Is it necessary to purchase the camshaft tool to remove and then torque down the camshaft sprockets? And, are there any special tools needed to set valve clearances?

Thanks for your help again.