Replacing Head Gaskets on a 1989 Mercury Sable Wagon?

Question

Hi I am a woman looking for a diagram and instructions for replacing head gaskets on a 1989 Mercury Sable Stationwagon. Can anhy one tell me where I can find such a thing?

Answer 1

you can get a repair manual for your car at any parts store :)

Answer 2

Assuming that the head gaskets really require replacement, this is a very difficult job. 'Tronary' correctly states the concerns in a previously post.

The 1989 Sable comes with either a 3.0L and 3.8L engine. The 3.0L engine is really solid but the 3.8L is infamous for blowing head gaskets. It has many other problems as well.

Typically when doing this job, the heads are machined, hoses and thermostat and other items replaced. Shop cost should be between $1600 and $2000. If a head is cracked, plan on
spending a little more.

You are at a decision point. The car is worth perhaps $1000, and yet requires a repair far exceeding its value. I know how hard this is because you depend on that car for transportation.
Good Luck, Marc

Answer 3

Do you have a great assortment of tools ?/ Have you ever done anything like this ?? It is a difficult job for a novice. Why are you replacing head gaskets, what is the problem ?? You may be doing the wrong thing.

Answer 4

Any local auto parts store will have a book on your vehicle called a CHILTONS MANUAL all the info you need is in there
Good Luck
Reach me on IM

Answer 5

you can buy a repair book at autozone.com
and it will tell you ever thing oh how to do it good luck it's only like 17.00 for the book i only have one question is the car really worth it??

good luck old cars are alot beter tho
i got a 1990 dodge Omni runs good

Answer 6

Relieve fuel system pressure as outlined under MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES/FUEL SYSTEM PRESSURE RELIEF.
Disconnect battery ground cable, then drain cooling system.
Remove air cleaner assembly, intake duct and heat tube.
Remove drive belt, then if removing left cylinder head, proceed as follows:
Remove power steering pump and position aside, then remove oil fill cap.
Remove A/C compressor mounting bracket and position aside, if equipped.
Remove alternator and bracket.
If removing right cylinder head, proceed as follows:
Disconnect thermactor air control valve, if equipped.
Disconnect thermactor tube support bracket from rear of cylinder head, if equipped.
Remove accessory drive idler.
Remove thermactor pump pulley and thermactor pump, if equipped.
Remove PCV valve.
Remove intake manifold as described under INTAKE MANIFOLD.
Remove exhaust manifolds as described under EXHAUST MANIFOLD.
Remove rocker arm cover attaching bolts and the cover.
Loosen rocker arm fulcrum attaching bolts enough to rotate rocker arm so pushrod can be removed. Keep pushrods in order so they can be installed in original position.
Remove and discard cylinder head attaching bolts.
Remove cylinder head.
WARNING: This engine uses "Torque To Yield Bolts". Always use new cylinder head bolts to ensure leak-tight assembly. Torque retention with used bolts can vary, which may result in coolant or compression leakage at the cylinder head mating surface.

Reverse procedure to install, noting the following:
Lightly oil all bolts except short ones.
Apply suitable sealer to short cylinder head bolts.
FWD 3.8L








Reassemble and torque the new head bolts to the following specifications. Torque all bolts in numerical sequence in three steps as follows:
20 N.m (15 lb-ft)
40 N.m (30 lb-ft)
50 N.m (37 lb-ft)
In numerical sequence, retorque the bolts per the following Steps: LONG BOLTS (Bolt Numbers 1, 3, 5, 7):
Loosen long bolt and back out 2-3 turns.
Retorque long bolt to 40-50 N.m (30-37 lb-ft).
Rotate long bolt an additional 175-185 degrees (approximately 1/2 turn).
Go to the next bolt in sequence. SHORT BOLTS (Bolt Numbers 2, 4, 6, 8):
Loosen short bolt and back out 2-3 turns.
Retorque short bolt to 20-30 N.m (15-22 lb-ft).
Rotate short bolt an additional 175-185 degrees (approximately 1/2 turn).
Go to the next bolt in sequence.
For each valve, rotate the crankshaft until the tappet rests on the base of the camshaft lobe, install the pushrods and torque rocker arm fulcrum attaching bolts to 5 N-m (43 in.lb).
Once all of the rockers are in place and temporarily torqued, torque all fulcrum arm bolts to 25-35 (19-25 ft lbs). For this step the camshaft may be in any position.
Torque rocker arm cover bolts to 9-12 N-m (80-106 lbs.in.).

Answer 7

Buy a workshop manual.