Head Gasket Replacement

Post your technical questions and information here.
User avatar
Otto Skorzeny
Posts: 1721
Joined: Fri Feb 28, 2014 12:41 pm
TOA Membership Number: 0
Years Owned: 1966 Toronado

Re: Head Gasket Replacement

Postby Otto Skorzeny » Tue Aug 10, 2021 4:56 am

Look for a timing chain and sprocket set by Cloyes or Melling.

Contact Egge or Terrill Machine for the correct camshaft. Egge sells complete rebuild kits. Call them and talk to one of their techs about exactly what you need.

Can your camshaft be reground? Egge does that , too. You might be able to reuse your existing cam and keep stock performance.

https://egge.com/info/camshaft-regrinding/

Shouldn't the rebuilder be sourcing the parts?

https://egge.com/info/kits/

800.866.EGGE

Terrell Machine (254) 893-2610

NicolasB
Posts: 261
Joined: Sat Apr 25, 2020 9:27 pm
TOA Membership Number: 0
Years Owned: 1969 Oldsmobile Toronado

Re: Head Gasket Replacement

Postby NicolasB » Mon Oct 18, 2021 8:45 pm

So the project is no longer under hiatus now that I have the mechanic to help me start the rebuild process. We removed the engine last night and are going to take it to the machine shop later this week, but in the meantime he gave me the task of looking around for a few more new parts since now we can see a bit more of the internals of the engine (still need to remove the oil pan, camshaft, etc. however). One item he mentioned that would be a good idea to replace is the flex plate, but I can't seem to find one online. Any suggestions or website recommendations? I'm looking for new ones only.

NicolasB
Posts: 261
Joined: Sat Apr 25, 2020 9:27 pm
TOA Membership Number: 0
Years Owned: 1969 Oldsmobile Toronado

Re: Head Gasket Replacement

Postby NicolasB » Mon Oct 18, 2021 8:55 pm

Oh I actually checked Summit; is that part compatible with other cars as well? Like not Toronado specific?

NicolasB
Posts: 261
Joined: Sat Apr 25, 2020 9:27 pm
TOA Membership Number: 0
Years Owned: 1969 Oldsmobile Toronado

Re: Head Gasket Replacement

Postby NicolasB » Tue Oct 19, 2021 5:06 am


User avatar
Otto Skorzeny
Posts: 1721
Joined: Fri Feb 28, 2014 12:41 pm
TOA Membership Number: 0
Years Owned: 1966 Toronado

Re: Head Gasket Replacement

Postby Otto Skorzeny » Tue Oct 19, 2021 5:17 am

I have a good used one in the garage. I'll compare it to the one from Summit.

Here is a link to the Oldsmobile Master Parts Book. Compare the GM part numbers to see if the flywheel is Toro specific or the same for all models. It looks like they're all the same but don't take my word for it, look it up.

Download it to your computer in case it becomes unavailable in the future.

http://wildaboutcarsonline.com/cgi-bin/ ... splayed=50

Never mind about mine, '66-'67 have a different part number. Summit's flywheel start's at 1968 and up so it's probably correct.

One reviewer said the weight fell off at first use. Govern yourself accordingly.

bcroe
Posts: 305
Joined: Thu Nov 15, 2012 12:25 pm
TOA Membership Number: 378
Years Owned: 79 Toronado or Eldorado

Head Gasket Replacement

Postby bcroe » Tue Oct 19, 2021 5:51 am

A problem with the 66-67 flex plate for 425, is it does not interchange with the
68 up, different bolt pattern. Maybe the weights too, do not know.

Unfortunately the teeth tend to get worn at the 4 positions where the engine is
likely to stop. For Toronado only 68 up use a flex plate with deeper teeth to
reduce the tooth wear. It is interchangeable with the RWD flex plates, I have
managed to collect enough of these deep tooth plates to equip all my RWD and
FWD cars. Bruce Roe

NicolasB
Posts: 261
Joined: Sat Apr 25, 2020 9:27 pm
TOA Membership Number: 0
Years Owned: 1969 Oldsmobile Toronado

Re: Head Gasket Replacement

Postby NicolasB » Tue Oct 19, 2021 10:21 pm

Ah okay, thanks! Yeah we checked it and you were right: there are four areas where the teeth are worn. Not completely gone, but I’d prefer replacing it now that I have the chance. Does it have 166 teeth? I just want to make sure that I find the correct one. Any recommendations are welcome as well.

Also what is the purpose of the weight on the flex plate?

NicolasB
Posts: 261
Joined: Sat Apr 25, 2020 9:27 pm
TOA Membership Number: 0
Years Owned: 1969 Oldsmobile Toronado

Re: Head Gasket Replacement

Postby NicolasB » Tue Oct 19, 2021 10:47 pm

This is random, but I forgot to mention a while back when I got the cylinder heads that the machine shop said that I didn’t need to harden the seats on them because apparently Oldsmobile designed the heads on most of their vehicles so well that running unleaded was no issue for them (this goes for ‘69 and a bit earlier as well). For my case, the one in charge of doing my heads said that they had very little wear on them and that hardening them was a waste of money.

bcroe
Posts: 305
Joined: Thu Nov 15, 2012 12:25 pm
TOA Membership Number: 378
Years Owned: 79 Toronado or Eldorado

Head Gasket Replacement

Postby bcroe » Wed Oct 20, 2021 9:51 am

What I would think about, is converting the engine to use valve rotators. With those
the late 70s engines seem never to need a valve job. I got rid of all those 60s high
compression leaded gas engines (very expensive fuel), use instead big engines
designed for unleaded regular.

Engines must be balanced, and some of the weights are often on the flex plate.
Bruce Roe

NicolasB
Posts: 261
Joined: Sat Apr 25, 2020 9:27 pm
TOA Membership Number: 0
Years Owned: 1969 Oldsmobile Toronado

Re: Head Gasket Replacement

Postby NicolasB » Wed Oct 20, 2021 11:46 am

I see, thank you! We were also looking for a rebuild kit for the original distributor since the internals are worn, but can’t find one. Do any auto parts suppliers sell them for this car? Or is it better buying a new one or remanufactured? I have a new Pertronix Ignitor II in my garage that hasn’t been used yet.


Return to “Technical Talk”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 26 guests