American Motors: Head gasket, cylinder head bolts, replacing head gasket


Question
Would like to know head bolt torque and rocker arm bolt torque for 1988 Eagle Wagon v6-258,
4.2L.  Need any information you can supply on replacing head gasket for above vehicle.

Answer
Well, first it's not a V6 (it's an inline 6 cyl. Minor bug of mine! <G>) Rocker bolt torque: 19 ft/lbs, intake and exhaust manifold bolts: 13 ft/lbs, cylinder head bolts: 85 ft/lbs
  Did you first make sure you don't have a clogged rad or stuck thermostat? With the rad cap off, and rad full, pull the coil wire, and crank the motor over. Major bubbles mean head gasket. (unless you have water in the oil already, or extremely low compression)
  If you need a motor, a 4.0L will fit as well (even better if you are good at wiring in the EFI!)
  To do the headgasket, drain rad (and mabe punch out a frost plug to drain the block, but it's not essential)
  Undo the intake and exhaust manifold bolts (and vac hoses. mark them with tape and numbers!) and carb linkage. Then undo the headbolts (you can do it with a narrow socket, w/o removing the rockers till it's off)
  Scrape the head and block really well of old gaskets. Have the hed face checked to be sure it isn't warped, and that the head isn't cracked ('81 and newer are prone to cracks. Only later models used the aluminm valve covers. The pattern on the plastic covers is totally different! They will bolt on, but you need a plastic or Clifford replacement valvecover after)
  I helped a buddy swap an '82 motor into an '88 Eagle.