DJ19895.0

I found a 98 zx2 with 120k and immaculate interior and exterior for sale for cheap because it needs a head gasket. I am willing to do the job, but how bad would it be with the dohc, limited space, and exhaust manifold bolts? Has anyone ever done this or know what is involved and if I am able to learn how?

Edit: Was just thinking if it would be possable to do the gasket without removing the exhaust manifold and just disconnedting it from the rest of the exhaust.

leobound

I actually have a 98 zx2 as my second car. I also had a head gasket blow and come to find out the genius's that put the damn thing together made it literally impossible to do this job. I will almost guarantee you that the head bolts are seized and will break every one of them on the way out. I ended up buying a whole motor out of a wrecked one and switched out motors. I spoke with many people at ford dealerships and repair shops and they all told me..... "good luck" or "start lookin for a new motor". Apparently it is not just me that has had this problem. I hope this helps

Derf00

4-bangers are easy to work on. I say go for it. You should reconsider your idea to leave the exhaust manifold on the head unless you plan on taking the hood off of the car to make the head easier to take off with the manifold still on it. Otherwise it may be difficult to remove the head without banging the gasket surface due to it's unbalance weight.

If you're going to leave the exhaust side on, you may as well leave the intake side on as well. May even things out a little to make it easier to lift the head straight off.

Be sure to mark the timing gears positions or get the gear markers aligned properly BEFORE removing the head, that way you get rid of one of the biggest headaches on a DOHC, misaligned timing gears.

Haven't worked on the Escort Zx2 engines specifically so I can't attest to difficulty. A lot of times it's patience and time to get it done right.