Major Work Soon

[scatgo1]

Time to replace the head gasket. Had a overheating problem from a leaking head gasket, warped or cracked head for a long time now. Just parked it and started looking into having the head milled and inspected for cracks. If I am going to go through all this work the last thing I want to do is put in a cheap head gasket. Any advice on a good brand name head gasket? I never tore this deep into a engine so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank You,

Chris

[Busted_PT]

Originally Posted by scatgo1

Time to replace the head gasket. Had a overheating problem from a leaking head gasket, warped or cracked head for a long time now. Just parked it and started looking into having the head milled and inspected for cracks. If I am going to go through all this work the last thing I want to do is put in a cheap head gasket. Any advice on a good brand name head gasket? I never tore this deep into a engine so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank You,

Chris

Felpro is as well known as any. You have to check for cam rock if the head is warped.

[ptcruisersteve]

How many miles you have on the PT Cruiser?
Have you replaced your timing belt? Water pump?

[scatgo1]

Originally Posted by Busted_PT

You have to check for cam rock if the head is warped.

Cam rock? It has 130k. Did the water pump and timing belt at 98k. Should I bother with new head bolts?

[quicksilverdon]

Originally Posted by ptcruisersteve

How many miles you have on the PT Cruiser?
Have you replaced your timing belt? Water pump?

If you haven't replaced them, when you do head is the time to replace timing belt and water pump.

[LionPT]

Originally Posted by scatgo1

Should I bother with new head bolts?

Yes

[UptownSport]

No. Follow manual's suggestion- Looked for stretched bolts by using a razor blade (straight edge) against threads and looking for stretch.
Years of Neon's no one's showed an actual pic of a stretched on- Since Chrysler changed from 10mm to 11mm in 1985.
They did stretch before that- you could see it w/o a straight edge!!!

[Busted_PT]

Originally Posted by UptownSport

No. Follow manual's suggestion- Looked for stretched bolts by using a razor blade (straight edge) against threads and looking for stretch.
Years of Neon's no one's showed an actual pic of a stretched on- Since Chrysler changed from 10mm to 11mm in 1985.
They did stretch before that- you could see it w/o a straight edge!!!

Agree on the head bolts. Cam rock is when the head warps to the point that the cam rocks end to end when laying in the head with out the caps on. Google it and you will understand more. I will be reusing my bolts. Just clean all the threads good so you get a clean torque reading.

[LionPT]

I still say replace them...it's an extra $25. JMO

[NitroPT]

The original question(s) addressed.

I do not believe that there are any head gaskets for a 2.4 that are better or fearful of using for a none performance built engine.

IMO I would have the head first checked for surface straightness. If that is within the shops of choice allowance for surfacing than have the head pressure tested. At that point you can decide on having your head rebuilt or buy one already done?

I do recommend just going for the replacing the head bolts. It is cheap insurance for piece of mind.