ea-82 craked head question?

[cookie1]

I researched a good bit on here about cracked heads and replacing all the gaskets and such that are known to leak oil and I have a few questions.

 

I have the heads off and noticed the typical crack between the valves on all four. Most say this is not a problem (90% of the time) if there not to big. My question is what is to big (length & or width)? I dont have the valves out of the heads but I can just see the one by looking into the intake port.

 

It seems that both heads leak oil from the one o-ring found between the block and head. Is this a common for the heads to leak there?

 

Another question - should I bother replacing cam seals and o-rings if there not leaking? I wouldnt think so but, figured I'd ask anyway.

 

Thanks

[Gloyale]

I wouldn't worry about the BTV cracks.

 

I assume the O-ring you speak of is the one between the Cam Carriers and the Head. There is no O-ring between heads and block, other than the one built into the headgaskets.

 

For the cost of the seals, it's way worth it to do them now. You already have access to all of it with the engine taken apart. I would replace all accessible seals anytime I have a motor apart, leaking or not.

[cookie1]

I wasnt sure if it was built into the heasgasket or not. kind of popped out pretty easy.

 

Is that the most common area for the HG to leak oil (near that o-ring in the HG)?

 

Seemed to be the only place that was really gunked up w/ oil and grud when it was taken apart. Was leaking pretty bad. would start to form a drip within 1-2 min. of the engine starting.

[Gloyale]

I've had to replace Headgaskets just cause of that leak. Compression and cooling were fine, but the leak was terrible. It happens

[cookie1]

After I took them apart I didnt see anything else wrong with the HG. Even around that o-ring didnt look real bad, but you could tell something wasnt right. Guess the built-in o-ring and that area of the HG was just thinned out and let oil past.

 

Was my only reason for doing them too (oil leak). Car ran fine.

 

Time to go buy some gaskets and stuff.

 

Thanks for your help.