Hey guys,

so my head gasket just went on my 91 3.1L bird and im looking for opinions on which gasket kit to get. Im looking at a full Fel-Pro set right now.

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/more...383&cc=1251739
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/more...551&cc=1251739

Also, does anyone know what the stock gasket thickness is? Id like to get a slightly thinner gasket and bump up compression from the factory 8.5:1 to around the 9.0-9.5 range, no higher (dont want to run premium gas hahah).

thanks.

 

DO NOT use Rock Auto. What they "save" you in the costs of the parts they WILL hit you for in the shipping. Especially if one gasket has to come from a different warehouse.

Go to your local Advance or AutoZone and get the following:

FelPro MS93020 intake gasket set ~$28
FelPro HS8699PT2 head gaskets x2 ~$20
2 exhaust flange donut gaskets (I believe the P/N is 31550 but don't hold me to it) ~$8
2 gallons of green STRAIGHT coolant (add one gallon of water to it)... Requires COMPLETE drain and fill of engine block which requires removing coolant plug above oil filter and knock sensor
Oil and filter
PB Blaster penetrating oil for the exhaust flange studs and nuts
May also want to replace the o-ring on the distributor flange and put in an SBC gasket as well since you will probably want to remove it.

You may want to opt for new head bolts as well... It's up to you. And you might also want to do the timing chain or some other tune up items as you will already have the engine completely empty of coolant (I hope).

You already have the thinnest (supposedly) head gasket (.040 vs .060 for the later engines)... No way to bump up the compression without replacing the pistons or major machine work to the engine block (decking or over bore)...

:edit: And before anyone says anything about the coolant... I almost ALWAYS have run a 70/30 mix of coolant in my engine. With as cold as it got this past winter, I'm glad I do. The 2/1 mix (full drain requires 3 gallons) provides a 66/33 mix.

 

Hey, thanks for the input man. I live in Canada and the local auto shop (Lordco) was looking to charge me around 200 dollars for head bolts and gasket set, so even though rock auto has high shipping, it is still worth it. Just gotta wait it to ship to me!haha. Ive got oil, and coolant is pretty damn cheap so ill grab some of that more around the time I need it.

Im thinking about getting the heads milled either 20 or 30 over to give me a boost in compression... anyone have input on that?

 

nill the heads just enough to clean them up and have a good sealing surface.
the increase in compression wont give u any noticeable hp boost

have the valve springs checked more then likley they are worn out

if u want a nice boost in power port the cyl heads urself , myself and fasteddi + others have posted enough pictures u could do it urself in about a full day

 

Got a thread going in the general engine section, which will be showing my progress through this procedure.
Heres the link to the thread
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tech...et-91-3-a.html

 

Hey guys,

I have a few questions for you guys.

I pulled my distributor without marking its position and was wondering how to properly time my engine, is there anyone who can guide me through this process?

Also, are the push rods specific to the lifter they came off or can I put them anywhere?

thanks.

 

Got the car mostly back together, but im really lost on the PS pump brackets.

Could one of you guys please take pics of your bracket set up around the PS pump so i can get my pump back on?
I know there are 2 brackets, but i dont know how they fit on the pump/engine