Cylinder Head Rebuild/ Refresh

[Shawn Spencer]

Taking off the head mainly to do the head gasket, but also to freshen everything up. I've done most of the research such as valve lashing, proper valve lapping but I'm not 100% on everything so if you have any suggestions for me please let me know. Wondering if you have had any problems with valve and valve guide clearances? Also for intake and exhaust valve seals? What does that take to do or do I even need to worry about it? Any info is appreciated.

 

[Raider]

My head gasket went out too. did a build because of block or head is not true, will be back at it again sooner than later. My HG leaked oil down the side of the motor for 50K miles. Threw parts at it and nothing fixed it, and it was determined to be head gasket. Had block and head skimmed, cometic gasket with additional thickness from Edge Autosport. machine shop did a valve job, ground tappets and all within spec. New pistons, rods, timing stuff, water pump, PS pump rebuild, etc etc. Going to be set for a while when finished.

 

[Cfoldone]

A good source of proven parts --
https://mazdaspeeds.org/index.php?threads/proven-parts-list-common-parts-that-dont-suck.4476/

Be careful of anything besides OEM or the list items. If you buy cheap engine block rebuild gaskets and seals --- buyer beware ---
Personally I prefer Mahle gaskets & seal set.
Head gasket I only used Cometic, expensive but if you are building a cylinder head and want more power they are proven to be reliable.

 

[Shawn Spencer]

Was planning on going with OEM head gasket but if Cometic is better I might go with them. I'm really not looking to make more power or do a full build. Really just looking to take it apart and clean everything while I have it apart. Make sure things are in spec etc. Just need more information on those few things I mentioned, but can't seem to find any.

 

[Raider]

100%, engine components like timing, OEM. Cometic is not too much $ overall. I like they have different thicknesses available. Just need the machine shop to log what they took off.

 

[Raider]

Was planning on going with OEM head gasket but if Cometic is better I might go with them. I'm really not looking to make more power or do a full build. Really just looking to take it apart and clean everything while I have it apart. Make sure things are in spec etc. Just need more information on those few things I mentioned, but can't seem to find any.

My concern is what caused head gasket failure. If warmed head, and you do not machine it, you will be right back to this point.

 

[Cfoldone]

My concern is what caused head gasket failure. If warmed head, and you do not machine it, you will be right back to this point.

Exactly!!!
I had forgotten the first fact in post. Yes expensive, you need to have the ability to verify the surfaces flatness corner to corner. Visual inspection is not enough. A head resurface is really the usual step in a head gasket failure. Then if machine shop finds a real bent head surface.... unfortunately the block deck needs to be done too. Or you will be redoing this again.

 

[Shawn Spencer]

Well thank you all for the information so far. I don't know what caused the head gasket failure as I had only had the car a couple of weeks before I noticed. If I can get away with just resurfacing the head that would be great, but if the block needs it to... at that point its probably not going to be worth it anymore for me. I bought it to be a daily originally.

 

[L337TurboZ]

Just buy a used engine and swap it in. It'll keep it on the road for now while you save up and build the spare engine for either more power or more reliability.