rootremblay

I have done a head gasket job myself, how difficult would a 3k gsk do do you guys think?

aksparkey01

not bad just take your time. should take about 2-3 hrs first time. i found that going through the side of the pump was best for me. it might take you a couple times adjusting the spring tension to get it right.

rootremblay

Thanks, anyone else got any opinions?

dzlfarmboy

If you can do a head gasket you can do a GSK, you'll want to have a small magnet, and a right angle pick to get the shims out from under the larger idle spring, and I use a old table knife that I grinded the middle out of the tip so its in a U shape for tightening the nut since theres a stud in the middle, I you want a pic let me know.

Brett

oldwhite12v

Yeah it's not a bad job. As mentioned above I found going through the plug in the side of the pump to be easiest. You'll probably need to make a tool for the nuts but an old knife or chisel and a grinder can take care of that. magnets and needlenose pliers are also handy.

halfpint23

Ditto grinding an old screwdriver for the nut - I actually made a dual purpose tool, ground it to the spec depth that my caliper measured before removal of the stock springs (read the instructions from TST and they made a lot of sense). I also bought NEW TOOLS!! oh, sorry....

got a 1/4 drive ratchet with a twist handle that spins the socket - it turned out to be indispensable for working inside the AFC "blind". Used a mirror to see in there to do the throttle lever adjustments (as recommended by Piers Diesel site). There is not a lot of space to swing a ratchet between AFC housing and the fuel filter, brake booster, etc.

I did the actual GSK through the top - no way could I see in from the side of the housing. If you have TWO magnetic pickups, have them both at the ready - looking into the apparently bottomless pool of oil under the governor really gave me the ******* about possibilities of dropping something down in there....

All told, including cussing time, my poor back doing a big charliehorse deal, tool making etc, four hours for me on my first. It would take less than half that if I did it again, including the lever adjustments.

Have fun!

Kate

rootremblay

Awesome, thanks for the input yall

Sidewinder

I did my own GSK but I don't think I would try the head gasket. The GSK was easy - don't sweat it!

Ronco95

I did the GSK myself thru the side. I have also done my own h/g and had a machinist on a CNC mill cut the grooves for o-rings.

Next, I have to learn how to time my truck properly.

Ronnie

cstroup

Thru the side, piece of cake. worse part is actually seeing what your doing as there are numerous items in the line of sight.