97 Escort repair headgasket

[Spinach]

I'm gonna start this project tomorrow or maybe Saturday. It's a 97 Ford Esort 2.0 liter SOHC, the head is warped so i called around and found a rebuilt for $300. Never did a headgasket before but I've had good luck repairing most of my own cars in the past.

Any suggestions, advice or things to look out for? I'll have plenty of cold beer if anyone wants to come watch or lend some advice. 

I really want this car drivable again, it's been out of commission for almost a year now, it gets over 35 mpg. besides the headgasket, this car is very clean, new brakes, tires, exhaust, no rust, so it's worth it to me to fix it up.

[Big_D]

My best advice is to just take your time, know where all the wires go (mark them) and just be systematic down and back. 

[Airjer]

You picked an easy one for the first one!

[Spinach]

You picked an easy one for the first one!

Are you serious? Should be easy enough right?

I trust your judgement, you worked on a few of my cars in the past.

[Finlander]

I've also heard from people with these cars , that it is also a good time to replace the water pump with the belt . I've never done an Escort head. A few older Chrysler heads and a few GM's . You might want to be ready to replace the exhaust pipe bolts and gasket too . The few that I've done ,I just went and bought the stuff before I started .

 I'd offer to help but I have to finish putting the front end back together on a Saturn tomorrow .

[mopho]

i have never seen a  escort get  35mpg   the ex had a 96' lx with the 1.9   i a had a brand new 99' escort zx2 with a stick    and i never saw that  and  on a good day  with my 03' focus  i will see 29.5  if its all highway..  mid twenty's would be realistic on the high side... 


change  the timing  belt while you have it apart....   kill 2  birds with one stone

[Spinach]

Realisticly it gets 24 city and 31 highway, no matter, it gets double of my Suburban that will be for sale this week. 

Anyone want a Suburban that gets 12 city and 15 hwy? 

[mopho]

good luck with  selling the super sub... i hear they are selling like hot  cakes these days 

[tattguy12]

My cousin just sold his 2001 suburban this week with less than 90,000 miles..lol..he took a big hit..save it if you can gas prices will go down eventually..

[Airjer]

How did it go Mr. Turnquist?  or