F.I. Beta Head Removal

[davidb]

Nothing leaks on my head, after 43K miles, since new.
I have the radiator out. It appears there is sufficient
clearance, even when the radiator goes back in, w/fan,
that the F.I. plenum could be moved forward & down,
radiator in place, then proceed w/unbolting other things
to get the head off/out? I've done several carbed Beta
heads but all that "spagetti" & clearance concerns me.
General suggestions or warnings appreciated. Consider
me anal. I intend to keep this car quite awhile. If now
is the time to pull the head advise appreciated. Thanks.

[Todd D.]

A couple things come to mind.
Remove the timing belt cover. It can be tricky because there is one 10mm bolt that sits
directly opposite the frame rail and is hard to get at. The cover can be pulled up and out
if you take the clear plastic fuse cover off and remove the first 2 relays. You may also still have the black sheilds that cover the timing belt in place.There are 4-5 pieces that are bolted
together with 10mm bolts and they will need to be removed .
Remember to drain the coolant from the block via the drain below the exhaust manifold.
I prefer to pull the head with the exhaust manifold and the intake manifold in place and unbolt them on the bench. If you have a header , it will need to be unbolted but if you have
the original cast 4-2 down pipe just disconnect from the exhaust system and keep it attached to the head.
Be very careful removing the rubber air pipe. They are very tight on the throttle body
and usually quite brittle by now and they easily crack between the pleats. New ones are hard to find. Another hard to find item is the proper thick (1/4") intake manifold gasket.
Try to find one before removing the in. manifold.
At the very bottom of the intake manifold there is a bolt that connects to the block/starter
that could be easy to overlook.
There are 8 plastic Bosch connectors for the fuel injectors, cold start, thermo time switch,
temp sensor, and aux air valve. Be gentle prying out the square wire that holds them in place ...they break easily.
Thats my 2 cents..good luck with it.
Todd

[1,6 HF]

Nothing leaks on my head, after 43K miles, since new...
General suggestions or warnings appreciated...

If it ain't broke, don't fix it?

[FORZALANCIA]

If it ain't broke, don't fix it?

Ditto!

[Andrew S]

If it ain't broke, don't fix it?

Ditto again!!!!!! At 43K miles it's only just nicely run-in anyway...

Andrew.

[davidb]

Thanks all. As stated I'm anal. Plus possessed of an abiding
[subconscious?] distrust of Beta mechanicals that started years
ago w/my 1ST one bought new. I pulled the head off my '78
Beta Sedan after 50K miles in spite of nothing being wrong.
Dealer re-did the head, told me I was nuts. I put it back on.
At 75K I pulled the head again, everything still fine, dealer called
me a Loony Tune. My Scorp's head came off last yr. after 30+K
something miles. I thought 30 yrs. old, what the hell? Peace-of-
mind. I might let the '82 LBZ's head get to 50K before she comes
off. What can I say other than I'm nuts, luv to tinker, time to kill,
want 'em running PERFECT, that an excuse? Thanks for the input gents . . .

[1,6 HF]

David,

Now I'm simply mystified. Why do you keep pulling the head off an engine that's running? What you imagine could possibly be wrong with it at 25k intervals with no sign of any trouble?

I don't understand the "peace of mind thing" with a Beta twincam; it's a very robust and reliable engine, particularly in understressed US spec. And peace of mind is one thing, but every tear-down of a good engine is as much an opportunity to make it worse as to make it perfect. And, more to the point, it's time spent in the garage, for no good reason, rather than out driving and enjoying the car.

[Ammy]

I don't normally get involved with discussions but have to agree with all the advice being given about "leaving well alone " It's quite possible that disturbing the head will lead to a head gasket leak even after putting it back carefully and according "to the book" It's happened to me after a burnt valve problem.QUOTE=1,6 HF;28466]David,

Now I'm simply mystified. Why do you keep pulling the head off an engine that's running? What you imagine could possibly be wrong with it at 25k intervals with no sign of any trouble?

I don't understand the "peace of mind thing" with a Beta twincam; it's a very robust and reliable engine, particularly in understressed US spec. And peace of mind is one thing, but every tear-down of a good engine is as much an opportunity to make it worse as to make it perfect. And, more to the point, it's time spent in the garage, for no good reason, rather than out driving and enjoying the car.[/QUOTE]

[davidb]

Thanks Ed & welcome to you Ammy. If I sparked your ire to
post Ammy please keep reading. And posting as you feel.
None of my "low-mileage" head jobs have made things worse.
I'm quite thorough replacing them. I've done ... 5 now? I'd
luv to tear the bottom end off one of mine: new bearings,
higher compression pistons but I lack the space & tools. Call
me a nut-case, call this my salutation on this topic. Thanks all.

[1,6 HF]

Good luck with it.