Gasket confusion.

Tbuck07 · Apr 29, 2009

Ok, I cant find a PI gasket swap kit..anywhere.

So im piecing it together..

Head Gaskets-Need to be for a 99+ heads, correct? What if I dont know if they're 99 or 00, and so on..?
Intake Gasket-Have
Manifold Gasket-96-98 gasket
front cover gasket-96-98 gasket
valve cover gaskets-99-04??
water pump gasket-96-98
Why cant I think of the other gaskets.. :BangHead:
Just wanted to make sure those years are correct for the parts..I gotta get these parts ASAP! Planning to do the swap next weekend..!

PPS..Also, Head gaskets are like..96 dollars..I still need timing chain guides..and people suggest head bolts, which looks like another 100 bucks for those. Damn these parts are just gettin expensive..theres no way to get by using the old ones?..

Also gonna probably swap my tie rods..80 more dollars there..sounds like those are going out..

Tbuck07 · Apr 29, 2009

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=FMS-M-6067-D46&autoview=sku

This it?

Sounds like my heads were off a 99 motor.

reivaxtorres · Apr 29, 2009

for the head swap kit, get this one from Ford Racing:

M-6067-D46

it includes:
head gaskets (PI and NPI head gaskets are the same)
head bolts (one-time use)
exhaust manifold bolts
dipstick tube

then, from Ford, you have to go off and get:

1) Intake manifold gaskets (02+ as these are revised and have a larger water port)
2) timing cover gaskets (all three of them)
3) timing cover seal
4) heater return tube
5) valve cover gaskets (for whatever year valve covers you are using)

then you will have to do this on your own:

1) modify the alternator bracket to fit your new PI manifold and NPI alternator
2) drill and tap (3/8" NPT) a new location on the PI Manifold for the extra coolant sensor

and remember these steps while doing the swap:

1) drain the block of all coolant, or you will make a mess.
2) IF you are going to install the heads with the exhaust manifolds already bolted on, remember to install the dipstick tube AT THE SAME TIME and BEFORE you bolt the heads down. ---- if you are installing the heads first, then the exhaust manifolds, remember to install the new dipstick after the heads, but before the exhaust manifold
3) either remove the pulley for the power steering pump (autozone rents the removers) or you will need to use a open cresent wrench and slowly (and i mean slowly) back out the 3rd bolt that holds the power steering pump to the block

other things to note:

1) if you need to, lokar sells a flexible dipstick tube
2) if you are installing the heads with the engine in the car, taking off the hood, taking out the radiator fan, radiator, and coolant tanks will give you plenty of room to work with
3) you dont need to remove the a/c compressor, just unbolt it fron the block to access the crank position sensor.
4) swap the fuel rails and injectors fron the NPI manifold to the PI manifold.

and i think thats about it, if i remember anything else ill add it in

Tbuck07 · Apr 29, 2009

Ok, The intake gasket I have should be fine, as my intakes off an 03 gt. So I dont need the gaskets I posted, all of them? I thought I needed the water pump gasket, etc. Im trying to refer back to the older posting on all the gaskets, just maknig sure I get this right, I want everything to go smooth Saturday

The link I posted is that headswap kit..I want to get the best deals, so if there's stuff online, please guys, link me up.

That or just tell me what I need to tell teh guys at advanced auto..for whatever year and whatever gasket. Much appreciated guys!

glittle75 · Apr 29, 2009

you dont NEED the water pump gasket and nipple. I didnt take the waterpump off to do mine, just hooked the new coolant tube the the nipple thats allready there, and slapped some rtv on it. no leaks at all.

but to be 100% safe, you should change the nipple in the water pump housing and replace the water pump gasket, just b/c it didn't leak for me, don't mean your wont leak for you.

most times people just get the ford racing headswap kit, because its the cheapest way to get headgaskets, exhaust gaskets, and new head bolts.

and no, you cannot reuse your old headbolts. they are Torque-to-yield and stretch when you tighten them. if you re-use your headbolts, you will be sorry.

honestly man, i think you should wait a few more paychecks, and get all the little things that will make your life easier when your doing the work.

if you do your PI swap, and then decide later to go with some boost, ported heads, or something, you will have to buy new headbolts and dipstick again. i thought about this, and thats why i delayed my PI swap until i could afford the Lokar dipstick and ARP head studs. no more buying new ones, just re-use.

so far as what year for what gaskets to tell the dude. just tell auto zone guy that you need them all for a 03 gt. they are all the same for romeo motors.

here are some suggested links for ya:

http://www.jegs.com/i/Lokar/625/ED-5014/10002/-1 dipstick - $51.99

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=ARP%2D156%2D4301&autoview=sku ARP head studs - $211.95

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=STG%2D8906&autoview=sku Stage 8 Locking Header bolts - $43.95

and this is for the most complete headswap write-up i have found. has every thing, and every detail.

http://forums.modulardepot.com/showthread.php?t=105223&highlight=headswap+write

Tbuck07 · Apr 29, 2009

I dont plan to go turbo or anything..once the PI swap is done the car is done..Ill just get the ford racing headswap kit, and the other gaskets needed for an 03 GT then. I found out my heads are off a 99.

Plus..do I have to get manifold gaskets? The manifolds come off to do this swap?

Thanks for everyones help

glittle75 · Apr 29, 2009

if you just found out your heads are from a 99, your gonna need new valve covers from a windsor. they have a oil fill on the passenger side, different bolt pattern, and different gaskets.

your stock valve covers wont work. MAKE SURE you get the right valve cover gaskets!! the gaskets for your covers look like a big o-ring, nothing special. the ones you need have a 'ring' of gasket that goes around each bolt. you'll know if you got the right ones when you take yours off.

and the manifolds are connected to your heads, your swapping heads, so uhhh, yeah they need to come off. so yes, you need exhaust manifold gaskets, and get the o-ring that goes on the passenger side manifold-to-midpipe connection.

and not trying to be a dick or anything, but if you don't know the manifolds need to come off, maybe you should do a lot more research before you attempt this swap. its only as easy as you make it. if its your first time doing major mechanical work especially, it will take much less time if you don't run into problems, or stopagges.

and you need to try to get the manifold-to-midpipe bolts off BEFORE you start anything else. first thing you should do for this swap is get the car on stands and get these bolts out. it seems to be the most time consuming part of the whole swap. they are a bitch. gotta use extension, swivel, and a deep well, and a big ass cheater pipe on your breaker bar.

would be horrible to get the top end tore down, and take hours to soak the bolts and break tools just to find out you need to get some help. i have mostly snap-on tools, i snapped 2 extensions, one swivel, and ended up having to torch the bolts and back them out with an impact gun.

Tbuck07 · Apr 29, 2009

I have a buddy who's a mechanic going to help me out, the whole manifold thing was stupid of me to say, I knew better. Wasn't quite all there earlier.
When I bought my heads they came with valve covers..
Supposedly Advanced Auto has a complete gasket kit for like 201.99, with dipstick tube and every gasket. I'm going to check into it..

glittle75 · Apr 30, 2009

yeah advance and auto zone both have thier gasket kit. if i remember correctly it comes with everything for a complete engine build. even a new oil pan gasket is there.

from what they told me, the exhaust gaskets they have are like paper, look into that, they will blow out. get metal ones. but other than that they include alot. head gaskets, valve cover, oil pan, timing cover, etc. only thing i remember needing was exhaust (metal ones) and water pump.

but one of my closest friends runs the carquest here, so he got me every gasket i asked for for 150. hooked me up

rtv is your friend when installing gaskets too, use some small dabs to hold the valve cover gaskets in the cover while you position them. i also used small dabs to hold the timing cover gasket in, and on the little 'tabs' on the head gaskets at the corner to hold them in place while i dropped the head on.

and if you have any problems with it, post up here and me for sure, and im sure everyone else will chime in asap to help.

love it when ppl do thier own dirty work. makes you appreciate it so much.